Caab temporarily lifts Covid-19 restrictions for Biman, Saudia Arabia Airlines on KSA-bound flights

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh today lifted coronavirus-induced restrictions for Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines so that they are able to carry passengers on every seat when operating flights to different destinations in Saudi Arabia.

Caab announced the decision today considering the huge number of stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers who are waiting to return to their workplaces in the Gulf country, said a Caab press release.

This decision will remain valid till October 24.

However, the last two rows of the aircraft will have to be kept aside for anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms, the release added.

Caab had earlier decided that no more than 260 passengers, for wide-bodied aircraft, and 140 for small-bodied aircraft, could board planes during the coronavirus pandemic. These restrictions were lifted because of the high demand for seats on flights to Saudi Arabia.

However, the airlines will take appropriate measures to mitigate the possibility of increased health risks, the press release added.

Around 55,000 Bangladeshis who came to the country on leave have become stranded amid the Covid-19 pandemic and are waiting to return to their workplaces in Saudi Arabia.

Home to more than 22 lakh Bangladeshis, Saudi Arabia is also the prime destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers and the biggest remittance-generating country for Bangladesh.