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On the other hand, for the past 20 days, thousands of Saudi expats have been waiting day and night in front of the airline’s office, who had bought return tickets before the flight was canceled in March.
They allege that the ambiguity in the airline’s announcement to renew old tickets and the repeated decision changes are multiplying the suffering of the waiting passengers.
Although new complications arise every day, in most cases Saudi Arabian Airlines officials do not respond to questions from the media.
On September 23, Saudi Arabian Airlines launched a limited flight from Dhaka. A week before that, pre-ticketed passengers began crowding the airline’s office to update their tickets.
Saudi expats stranded due to the coronavirus epidemic went through a door outside the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka on Sunday to buy tickets in front of the Saudi Arabian Airlines office. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Avi
Saudi Arabia cut off air communication with the rest of the world at the end of March due to the Kovid-19 epidemic. Previously, these expats came to Bangladesh to buy return tickets.
Apart from this, 25,000 new Bangladeshis were allowed to go to Saudi Arabia. But tickets are given to passengers who have booked in advance.
For the past 20 days, ticket applicants have stayed outside the offices of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines in hopes of solving the problem. Sometimes the crowd grows and thousands of people gather. They also protest in the streets. But the solution is very slow.
Why do so many people gather?
Last Sunday, around 10,000 ticket seekers gathered on both sides of the Sonargaon Hotel to announce new tokens. But after authorities handed over tokens to hundreds of people, discipline was broken around 11pm. The rest of the day was spent in chaos.
Authorities announced that those with valid visas, Akama (work permits) and advance plane tickets would receive new tickets when the tokens are issued on Sunday. They will receive the ticket when they arrive on the scheduled day with that token.
Saudi expats upset about dissatisfaction with tickets
The shame didn’t end when the crowd diminished for the Saudi ticket
The complications of returning to Saudi Arabia were cut short
There are only seven people in the Sonargaon office of Saudi Arabian Airlines to manage everything.
Asked how many passengers should have the opportunity to renew their tickets, Omar Khayyam, sales manager for the airline’s office in Bangladesh, told bdnews24.com: Because they bought tickets in Saudi Arabia. So we can’t say how many passengers will have to renew their tickets. “
The official claimed that some 10,000 people had come to buy tickets on Sunday. The subject of such public meetings was “beyond his comprehension”.
“It just came to our attention then. So at one stage it was no longer possible to give tokens. We left a new form around noon. The names of the passengers, visas, old ticket numbers and phone numbers are kept there. Those whose Visas expire soon they will receive priority tickets, ”said Khayyam.
He complained that many people are leaving to get tickets even though their visas are not valid. That is why the number of people has increased.
‘Nothing happens except harassment’
A Saudi expat stranded due to the epidemic shows his work permit while waiting for a ticket in front of the Saudi Airlines office at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Avi
One of the protesters who took to the streets at the corner of Karwan Bazar on Sunday afternoon was a block from Narsingdi.
He said: “I heard on the news that he will deliver tokens today. But I still don’t see anything. I’ve been going back and forth here for about 10 days. But I do not know how “.
Another protester said his visa expired on October 30. You have come to the airline office regularly for 10/12 days. He is sitting after the Fajr prayers in the morning. Going out at night.
“But I’m not getting any accurate information. No one can say for sure. I have no other job in Bangladesh except to get a fine.”
Rabiul Hasan, a resident of Mymensingh, said: “I have spent two lakh rupees on an agricultural mortgage and planted akama and extended my license. If I can’t go, it’s all over. My million rupee investment in furniture stores in Saudi Arabia will go to others. Our pain will not reach the ears of the elderly. We are dying, we are dying. “
Saeed Uddin, who came from Faridpur, returned to the Saudi Airlines office in Karwan Bazar for a total of four days on Sunday. But he didn’t know anything about his trip back to Saudi Arabia.
Saeed said he had expanded the mandate of Akama and VC by spending 1.5 lakh rupees. After returning home last November, the visa period generally had to be extended in two stages. It also expired on November 22. He wants to go to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible.
A crowd of expats waiting for tickets outside the Biman Bangladesh Airlines office in Motijheel on Sunday. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Avi
“Today Hera will give tokens to a thousand people. But Hera Daika has brought 20 to 30 thousand people. No one could hear what Mike was saying. I don’t understand if those whose tickets have expired earlier will get them sooner, or those whose visas are coming to an end will get them sooner.
“Even if they had given the department tickets, there wouldn’t have been so many problems. Or the names of two or four districts, so many people would not come here to crowd. They didn’t have any discipline from either side. Nothing happens here except harassing people. “
Who will give the information?
Saudi Arabian Airlines authorities have said little about the plight of ticket applicants. As a result, there is a lot of confusion about which strategy they want to solve.
When Zahid Hossain, the counter manager for Saudi Arabian Airlines, went to his room last Friday to discuss the matter, he declined to answer any questions.
“I spoke with higher authorities. I am not allowed to speak, ”she replied bluntly.
When asked what he meant by higher authority, he said, “Talking to you won’t work for me.”
Police in riot gear stormed a demonstration on Sunday, taking hundreds of protesters away by truck. Police in riot gear stormed a demonstration on Sunday, taking hundreds of protesters away by truck. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Avi
He went to Zahid’s room again during the chaos Sunday afternoon and advised him to speak to the airline’s country manager. But he went to the country manager’s office and they didn’t find him there.
After waiting a while, the country sales manager, Omar Khayyam, stepped forward. But he talked about that counter manager.
“The counter manager Zahid Sabeh has all the information about the ticket sales of this branch. He can know how many tickets are being distributed or how many tokens are being given each day. He knows how things will turn out the next day.”
There are reports in various media that Saudi Arabian Airlines tickets can be renewed and new tickets can be obtained for Rs 1 lakh if they pay more than Rs 20,000 / 30,000 through various travel agencies.
When asked about this, Omar said: “We are not issuing any new tickets at this time. Older passengers are allowed to cross for free.”
When asked why he said “free” where the tickets were already purchased, he said: “These are not regular flights. Passengers are transported on special flights.”
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