More tickets to be issued on Saturday and Sunday
Saudia, the Saudi Arabian Airlines, is set to issue a second batch of air tickets to Bangladeshi expatriate workers to get back to Saudi Arabia and resume their jobs.
Speaking to Dhaka Tribune on Friday, Zahid Hossain, general manager of Saudia’s Dhaka office, said they will issue tickets to only 349 people who have tokens for tickets, at Saudia Arabia’s national flag carrier’s offices at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.
The airlines started issuing tickets on Thursday, giving tickets to those with token numbers 1 to 500 in the first phase.
Tickets will be given to those with token numbers 851 to 1200 on Saturday, and 1201 to 1500 on Sunday, Zahid added.
New tickets for Saudia will be available from October 1.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has also started issuing tickets from its sales office for its flights to Saudi Arabia scheduled for September 29 and 30.
Biman says booking will be on a first come, first served basis.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate a Dhaka-Riyadh flight on September 29 and Dhaka-Jeddah on September 30 for return ticket holders of Dhaka to Jeddah flights on March 18-20 and Riyadh on March 18 and 19, respectively.
On September 23, the Saudi government announced that it will extend the Iqama (work permit) and visas duration by 24 days for Bangladeshis.
Entry available to Iqama and visa holders
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said migrant workers who have Iqamas and visas will not face any restrictions in getting back to KSA.
“They can all go back. We are maintaining communication with Saudi Arabian authorities regarding the matter,” he said.
"Even if someone's visa expires, if they have an Iqama, they will be given a visa again,” he added.
The foreign minister told the media about tickets being issued by Saudia following an inauguration ceremony of the newly constructed “Sugandha”complex of the Foreign Service Academy, Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated it, joining online.
The foreign minister said there is no need to worry about tickets, everybody will get tickets serially, but those who have already taken tickets will go first.