Bhatkal: Amid flight cancellations in Saudi Arabia that have disrupted the travel plans of Umrah pilgrims, the Bhatkal Community Jeddah (BCJ) has reached out to a family from Bhatkal stranded by the disruption and assured them of all possible assistance.
The four-member family, comprising three women and a young man from Bhatkal’s Madina Colony, had travelled from Bengaluru to Saudi Arabia on a 15-day Umrah package. After completing their pilgrimage, they were scheduled to return to Bengaluru. However, following the cancellation of their flight from Jeddah, they were transported by road to Qaisumah–Hafar Al-Batin International Airport, about 1,200 km from Makkah.
On reaching the airport, they learnt that their flight had also been cancelled. They were subsequently flown back to Jeddah by Saudi Airlines and accommodated in a hotel arranged by the airline.
According to Abdul Salam Damda Abu, a member of BCJ, one of the women uses a wheelchair and was unable to undertake a long journey by road, adding to the family’s difficulties amid repeated travel disruptions.
In a video released by BCJ, Abeer Gawai said the family had left Makkah by car at around 9 pm and reached Qaisumah airport at about 10 am the following day. After learning that their flight had also been cancelled, they were flown back to Jeddah, arriving at around 2 pm on Wednesday, before being taken to a hotel.
A WhatsApp message highlighting the family’s plight was circulated among their relatives and friends in India, prompting BCJ members in Jeddah to intervene. After contacting several people and making enquiries, the community representatives traced the hotel where the family was staying and met them in person.
Abdul Salam Damda Abu, Faisal Damudi, Naveed Ekkeri and other BCJ representatives met the family and assured them of all possible assistance.
BCJ president Ubaidullah Askiri said the community was ready to extend every possible help to the family and that they need not worry. He added that BCJ had also contacted the flight operator and that, following discussions, the family was expected to depart for Bengaluru either on Thursday evening or on a flight the following day.