Biman allowed to fly to Saudi Arabia, special flights on Sept 26-27

Saudi Arabia has finally issued landing permission to Biman Bangladesh Airlines following a five-month suspension due to the pandemic.

Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (Caab) Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Wednesday.

Mafidur said Biman got landing permission in Jeddah, Dammam, and Riyadh routes on Wednesday.  

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has decided to operate commercial flights of Biman from October 1, said Biman Bangladesh CEO Mokabbir Hossain in a statement.

Following the permission, Biman has published flight schedules to Saudi Arabia on two routes.

Biman will operate special flights for Dhaka-Jeddah route on September 26 for return ticket holders set for March 16, and Dhaka-Riyadh on September 27 for those who had the return ticket for March 17, Biman said in a statement on Wednesday.

However, the passengers with return tickets for March 16 and 17 are requested to contact the Biman Sales Office for booking the flight on September 24, with tickets, passports, approval from the apps/links specified in Saudi Arabia, among others.

Biman reminded the passengers that Covid-19 negative certificate is mandatory for arrival in Saudi Arabia within 48 hours of sample collection, and all the passengers have to test for Covid-19 from Dhaka and have to travel from Dhaka.

Earlier on September 15, Saudi Arabia announced that it will partially lift its suspension on international flights to allow "exceptional categories" of citizens and residents to travel.

The country had also announced that it would lift all travel restrictions on air, land, and sea transport for citizens on January 1, 2021.

In March, Saudi Arabia suspended international flights to prevent the spread of coronavirus.