RIYADH — Ibrahim Al-Rawsaa, the spokesman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), said that the resumption of international flight service to and from Saudi Arabia will be decided on the basis of the recommendation of special committees tasked with addressing the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, he disclosed that the modus operandi for a decision to resume international flights will be similar to the decision taken last month for the resumption of domestic flights. "There are specialized committees to carry out studies in this regard and whenever these committees recommend that the time is appropriate for the resumption of international flights, the decision in this regard will be announced then," he said. The GACA resumed the operation of domestic flights on May 31 in line with the report of the special committee and it is complying with the precautionary measures and preventive protocols to stem the spread of the pandemic. Earlier on March 15, the GACA announced the decision to suspend all international flights until further notice as part of the preventive and precautionary measures recommended by the competent health authorities following the outbreak of the pandemic. The decision showed the government's concern to protect the health of citizens and expatriates and ensure their safety. The move followed the announcement of the World Health Organization that COVID-19 is a global pandemic. At present, international flights are being operated between the Kingdom and some countries only to facilitate the repatriation of a limited number of most distressed foreign workers and their relatives to their respective countries, as well as to bring back Saudis stranded in various countries.
