International flights to resume normal operations from May 17, GACA confirms

International flights to resume normal operations from May 17, GACA confirms

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has confirmed May 17 (Shawwal 5) as the date for the resumption of international airports and the complete opening of airports all over the Kingdom.In a circular on Wednesday, the GACA informed all airlines operating from the Saudi airports about the change of the date mentioned in an earlier circular for allowing Saudi citizens to travel abroad, as well as the complete lifting of the suspension of international flights, and the opening of the Kingdom's airports. According to the circular, the move will be effective from 1:00 a.m. on May 17 (Shawwal 5, 1442).In the earlier circular issued on Jan. 12, the GACA notified the airlines about the previously scheduled date for the resumption of service, which was March 31. The authority stressed the need to adhere to the preventive protocols and precautionary measures as well as instructions issued by the concerned higher committee in this regard to stem the spread of coronavirus epidemic in the Kingdom. It also noted