Saudi airports ready to welcome vaccinated passengers

RIYADH: Airports in Saudi Arabia are ready to reopen to outbound passengers, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said on Monday.

It came a day after the Ministry of Interior announced that the Kingdom’s land, sea and air borders will reopen at 1 a.m. on May 17, at which time citizens who have received a COVID-19 vaccine will be permitted to travel abroad.

GACA has sent to all airlines operating from the Kingdom’s airports, including private aviation businesses, details of the procedures, requirements and recommendations for people traveling abroad.

These state that airlines are permitted to transport fully vaccinated Saudi citizens and those who received their first dose of a vaccine at least 14 days before the date of travel. Citizens who have been infected by the virus must have recovered at least six months prior to travel, based on the health information recorded on the Tawakkalna app.

Citizens under the age of 18 are also permitted to travel and are exempt from the vaccination rule, but must present an insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank that will cover the costs of any COVID-19 treatment outside the Kingdom.

GACA warned all travelers to check and verify the entry requirements for their destination countries, and said carriers must assume the responsibility of providing this information to passengers to help ensure safe and healthy travel and avoid any problems or difficulties.

Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, the president of GACA, thanked the Saudi government for allowing citizens to travel abroad, subject to health requirements, and highlighted the efforts the authority has made to combat the spread of the virus. He added that it is using all of its capabilities to implement the government directives and safely restore all airport services and facilities.