New Virus Strain: Saudi Arabia suspends all int’l flights for a week

Saudi Arabia has suspended all international flights for a week amid reports of the appearance of a new mutated strain of novel coronavirus in the UK.

The suspension casts uncertainty on the return of Bangladeshi expatriate workers to their workplaces in the Gulf country.

The General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca), Saudi Arabia in a circular yesterday announced the temporary suspension of all international flights to and from Saudi Arabia. It, however, said some flights would be allowed in exceptional circumstances.

The Gaca said the suspension can be extended for another week and the instructions will be reviewed and updated in accordance with coronavirus-related developments.

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines yesterday in a release said all flights of the national flag carrier to and from Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam have been canceled for a week from December 21 due to the suspension imposed by the Saudi authorities.

Passengers of canceled flights will be allotted seats on a priority basis after resumption of flight operations, subject to availability of seats, said the circular.

Biman operates seven flights a week on Dhaka-Jeddah, Dhaka-Riyadh and Dhaka-Dammam routes while Saudia operates 10 flights a week between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.

A huge backlog of Saudi-bound Bangladeshi passengers was created a few months ago as air travel between the two countries remained suspended for over six months since March due to the pandemic. The backlog was almost cleared recently after resumption of air travel in September, a Saudia official said wishing anonymity.

The fresh suspension of flights might again create uncertainty over the return of Bangladeshi workers to Saudi Arabia, he added.