Passengers stranded due to the closure of Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia will be transported to their destinations via alternative flights through Dammam and Madinah, subject to seat availability, at no extra cost, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said today (12 October).
So far, 10 Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights have been cancelled due to the airport closure, leaving 3,431 passengers unable to travel to their intended destinations, the minister told reporters at Secretariat before a meeting on operating international flights from Cox's Bazar Airport.
He said the relevant airlines have been instructed to minimise passengers' suffering by arranging alternative flights and informing passengers about cancellations in advance.
The minister said it remained uncertain when Riyadh airport would reopen, adding that international flight operations to the airport have been suspended for airlines worldwide.
"This is not just a problem for our passengers; it is a global issue. Flights operated by airlines from around the world that land at Riyadh or use it as a transit point have been halted," he said.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director Kaizer Sohail Ahmed said the airline has offered to transport affected passengers through Dammam and Madinah, where it operates flights, without charging additional fares.
"If passengers contact us, we will make the necessary arrangements, subject to seat availability," he said.
He said Saudi Arabia is a key destination for Biman, with a large Bangladeshi population living there, and the airline is making efforts to assist affected passengers.
However, he said the uncertainty over the duration of the airport closure has made planning difficult.
"We have not been given a clear timeline, such as whether the airport will remain closed for three or five days. At one point, we are told it will remain closed until 1:00 am, and then the deadline is extended to 7:00 am the following morning. It is difficult to plan international passenger transport under such circumstances," he said.
Kaizer said Biman would try its best to transport passengers to Saudi Arabia through alternative routes, taking into account individual circumstances, including work permits and family issues.
He said flights to Riyadh have been suspended for four days and the situation remained uncertain.
Passengers are being updated on flight schedules and cancellations through television news tickers, Biman's website, its Facebook page and call centre, he added.
In addition, instructions are being given to inform passengers about flight cancellations in advance and those who had already arrived at the airport received assistance to minimise their inconvenience, he said.
The airline is making every possible effort to assist the passengers, the Biman MD said.