General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Saudi Arabia has confirmed that from May 17, 2021, Shawwal 5th, all airports will receive international flights throughout the kingdom, and will begin normal operations as per the rules of the business.
The GACA informed all airlines, operating from and to Saudi Arabia, about the decision of opening of all Kingdom’s airports, and the change in the date, mentioned in a previous circular for allowing Saudi citizens to travel abroad, as well as the complete lifting of the suspension of international flights.
The flights can land at any airport in KSA from May 17, 2021, starting at 1:00 AM ( Islamic date: Shawwal 5, 1442)
In the previous circular that was issued on Jan 12, 2021, the date for lifting the ban on international flights, and complete resumption of aviation services and activities were mentioned as 31 March 2021.
However, the authorities have clearly stressed to follow precautionary measures against coronavirus spread and advised to adhere to the preventive protocols in order to stem the covid-19 out of the kingdom.
It is also worth mentioning that the people of those countries who are on the banned list won’t be able to travel back to the kingdom unless the restriction is lifted.
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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 decision to postpone the opening of the airports came after the revelation by the health ministry about the availability of the coronavirus vaccine. MOH said that the vaccine manufacturers may not be able to deliver the required doses within the time and may result in delayed availability.
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The source added that the reason to extend the date of lifting restrictions was made due to the importance of reaching high levels of community immunity in the Kingdom before international travelers are allowed to enter into the kingdom.
The decision came 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.