Dhaka: Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) asked all Saudi-bound passengers to book their hotels for quarantine through the airline’s holiday website today.

Tarik A Alowaidi, Country Manager of Saudia, speaking to The Bangladesh Monitor urged all Saudi-bound expatriates workers to stop gathering in front of the airline’s office in the capital amid the pandemic to book hotel stays.

From May 20, several people had been gathering in long queues eventually leading to a chaotic situation at the airline’s office.

“No hotel confirmation will be accepted unless booked through the Saudia Holidays website," said the country manager.

The country manager also asked passengers to confirm their quarantine hotel a minimum of 72 hours before their flight departure through the Saudia Holidays website https://holidaysbysaudia.com.

For hotel booking confirmation, Alowaidi requested Saudi-bound passengers to contact their respective employer/Kaphil/company/concerned travel agency or go to the website.

“If any Bangladeshi passenger misses their flight or if they need to reschedule their flights, Saudia will issue fresh ticket and will accommodate them in other flights without taking any charge.”

This not only makes it convenient for the airline’s passengers but also prevents health risks at Saudia’s office.

The country manager said quarantine package reservation must be done according to the first point of entry.

Upon confirming their ticket and quarantine hotel package, passengers will have to complete their PCR test within 72 hours of flight departure, he added.