Saudi Arabia To Resume Regular International Flights From May 17, GACA Confirms

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General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday confirms that the Kingdom is planning to resume all regular international flights and the complete opening of airports from May 17.

The GACA in a circular informed all airlines operating from Saudi Arabia about the change of the date mentioned in an earlier circular for allowing Saudi citizens to travel abroad, as well as the complete lifting of the suspension of international flights, and the opening of the Kingdom’s airports.

As per the the circular, the move will be effective from 1:00 a.m. on May 17.

According to the previous circular, the kingdom has the plan to resume all international flights from March 31 but due to the rising cases of Covid-19 across the world, the country has postponed the date to May 17.

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The aviation authority stressed the need to adhere to the preventive protocols and precautionary measures as well as instructions issued by the concerned higher committee in this regard to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in the Kingdom.

It must be noted that the implementation of the decision to allow travel and return would not apply to countries that the committee decides to suspend travel or return due to the spread of the pandemic.

It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia postponed on Jan. 29 this year the reopening of its sea, land, and airports and extended the travel ban for its citizens to May 17 instead of March 31.

The official source at the interior ministry said the decision was taken based on the health ministry’s statement that the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers were late in delivering contracted batches on schedule.

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The source added the move to extend the date was made due to the importance of reaching high levels of community immunity in Saudi Arabia before travel is permitted, in light of a possible second wave of the pandemic in many countries, in the interest of public health in the Kingdom and to maintain low infection rates.

(With Inputs From Saudi Gazette)


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Manish Khandelwal
Manish Khandelwal

Manish Khandelwal, a travel-tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the travel industry. Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travelobiz.com, he's passionate about writing.

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