It all started for the whims of the Saudi Arabian Civil Aviation Authority. State flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been denied permission to operate flights to Saudi Arabia.
After the global outbreak of coronavirus, all flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia were canceled like other countries. After a long hiatus of flights, the country's airspace was reopened.
On September 17, the Saudi Arabian government announced the opening of the country's airspace. The Saudi authorities then allowed the aircraft to operate commercial flights from October 1, but did not allow the aircraft to land.
But in the last few months, it has become a problem. According to the relevant sources, 20,829 expatriates came from Saudi Arabia during the period from March to August. In addition, more than 20,000 expatriates have been stranded at different times. About 40,000 Saudi expatriates are now in the country. Most of their visas expire if they do not return to Saudi Arabia within the stipulated time. Then they will not be able to return to that country.
Expatriates have protested for the second day in Dhaka in this fear. After the first day of protests, the government-sponsored Biman has been allowed to operate two flights a week from October 1. And for those whose visas expire by September 30, it has been announced to extend the visa for another 24 days.
Saudi Arabia has allowed Biman to operate commercial flights to Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. On the other hand, Saudia is operating two flights a week from Dhaka.
With such a scanty number of flights, it will not be possible to transport such a large number of people to Saudi Arabia in the next 24 days, according to those involved in the aviation sector.
So extending the visa period is not solving the problem of Saudi expatriates.
Concerned parties say that if the number of flights is not increased, so many expatriates will not be able to reach Saudi Arabia within the specified time. In that case, they will lose their jobs and fall into a financial crisis.
An Biman official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Barta24.com that this month Biman had received permission from the country's civil aviation to operate a number of special flights to bring stranded Bangladeshis to Saudi Arabia. At that time, some expatriates could have gone to Saudi Arabia on time if they had the opportunity to take passengers from Dhaka.
In this regard, Biman Managing Director and CEO Mokabbir Hossain said that in September, Biman was allowed to operate five chartered flights to bring Bangladeshis stranded in Saudi Arabia. Although he wanted to take those who wanted to return, he was not given that approval.
We are going through a special situation, aviation expert and former board member Kazi Wahidul Alam told Barta24.com. It is natural that the Saudi government will not allow anyone to enter the country without considering its own interests. However, he thinks that even if the number of flights is less at the beginning, considering the situation, if the government of that country increases the number of flights, it will be possible to solve this problem.