Lion Air Group Responds to Saudi Arabia Ending Entry Ban

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Lion Air Group President-Director Edward Sirait said on Thursday, Agut 26, 2021, that there is hope following Saudi Arabia's announcement on lifting its entry ban for expatriates from 20 countries, including Indonesia. 

"There is hope that it does happen. Information is still incomplete," said Edward on Thursday, August 26, 2021, to Tempo.

Edward explained that the carrier is still waiting for complete information from both Saudi Arabia and Indonesian aviation authorities. 

Edward added that Lion Air Group management has yet to establish any plans to reactivate a commercial flight route to the region. Prior to the entry ban, Lion Air Group provides at least two flights to Saudi Arabia every day.

Arabnews previously reported that Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' agency for consular affairs said that lifting of the entry ban will only apply to expatriates who were fully vaccinated in Saudi Arabia before they departed for their home country. The ban does not include Saudi citizens, foreign diplomats, health practitioners, and their families.

The direct entry ban was imposed following a global surge in cases linked to the new Delta variants detected in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Brazil, out of fear that vaccines being rolled out worldwide might be ineffective against the new variant.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA | ARABNEWS