India’s national carrier Air India has announced that it will be providing priority assistance to nationals affected by the new Saudi labor laws.
The carrier’s management has announced that it will be setting up special counters in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to assist nationals being sent back home.
With the end of grace period on Nov. 3, many illegal expatriates who have obtained their travel documents are returning to India.
Prabhu Chandran, manager of Air India in Riyadh, told Arab News on Saturday: “We have set up special counters in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam to help nationals during their journey back home. Air India will provide services to passengers affected by the Kingdom’s new labor laws, irrespective of whether the flight is fully booked or not. There will be no extra charges for this preferential treatment, as these passengers will be assisted according to the fares available in the system.”
He added: “Air India is committed to extending help to passengers affected by the nationalization scheme. Maharaja (the carrier’s nickname) is always ready to serve its people.”
Chandran said the carrier’s management is in constant contact with the Indian Embassy, adding that many Indians have taken advantage of the concessions offered during the grace period, seizing the opportunity to return home.
He said Air India has designated one counter in all three of the Kingdom’s major airports for nationals who are leaving the Kingdom. “We have four counters to assist our regular passengers and we have designated one to assist Nitaqat-affected passenger.”
According to official sources, more than 1.4 million Indians made use of the concessions offered during the grace period, while 134,281 Indians left on final exit as of the end of October.
The Indian Embassy has set up help cells at deportation centers and labor offices to assist its nationals who were unable to correct their status prior to the amnesty deadline.
Air India plans special counters
