Saudia to operate over 50 flights this month

The Saudi Arabian Airlines will operate 50 to 60 flights between Dhaka and Saudi Arabia this month in a bid to fly more workers waiting to go back to the Gulf country.

Of the flights, around 40 will be pre-scheduled and the rest will be chartered.

Officials are hoping to fly around 22,000 workers to Saudi Arabia on those flights, said Tarik A Alowaidi, country manager for Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal of Saudi Arabian Airlines.

At least 55,000 Bangladeshis workers have been stranded since March 16 due to suspension of regular flights for the pandemic.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has permission to operate nine chartered flights to three cities in Saudi Arabia a week.  The Bangladesh government has said it will allow Saudi to operate as many flights it wants.

Alowaidi said they are operating 10 weekly flights on an average and every day they are trying to increase the number of special flights to carry more passengers.

"We are likely to operate 50 to 60 flights including scheduled and special ones in October," he added.

"We are doing our best and I am sure you are aware of this. Our ticket-selling office is open even on Friday and Saturday until late hours.

"We are hopeful of carrying all the passengers to Saudi Arabia if they have visas. We are giving priority to the Bangladeshis who have a valid visa and return ticket."