Saudia to operate special flight tomorrow

The Saudi Airlines will operate a special flight tomorrow (Wednesday) for the stranded Saudi-bound workers and passengers, who failed to go to the Arab nation amid the ongoing turmoil following the students' quota reform movement.
On the other hand, visa of the workers concerned will be extended for 15 days, as a significant number of them were unable to go to the job destination country before expiration of their visas.
The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment disclosed the information through a mobile phone SMS on Monday.
Saudia cancelled at least four to five flights from July 18 to July 20 following the countrywide unrest. As a result, about 1,200 passengers, who were scheduled to fly during the period, got stranded.
Saikat Halder, public relation officer (PRO) of the ministry, told the FE correspondent that the latest development came following the request of State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury.
The state minister requested the ministries concerned, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, as well as the Saudi Airlines to carry the passengers, who could not reach their destinations.
Mr Choudhury also requested the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka to extend the workers' visa, which expired in the meantime, and they could not reach their workstations.
The PRO of the ministry said Saudia is now operating its scheduled flights. Besides, the airlines will operate a special flight on Wednesday.
The Oman- and Dubai-bound workers were also facing sufferings due to the flight-related problem during the last few days.
But now the crisis has been solved, as flights are continuing to those nations, he added.
The Gulf region is the main job destination for the Bangladeshi workers. Saudi Arabia hires more than 50 per cent of the total outbound Bangladeshi workers.

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