Government has launched a special initiative to fix one-way airfare from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh at only TK 20 thousand for expatriate workers, making family visits significantly more affordable.

Special fares apply for arrivals in Bangladesh from April 18 to May 25, and departures from May 30 to June 30.

On Friday, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin announced the scheme targets selling 80 thousand tickets across Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. Initiative aims to directly benefit migrant workers while generating substantial revenue for state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

“Through this initiative, expatriate workers will benefit directly, while the state-owned airline is also expected to gain significant financial benefits,” MoCAT adviser said. For the first time in Biman's history, the carrier expects to earn over TK 100 crore in additional revenue.

Scheme will utilize empty one-way flights typically operating during Hajj season. Minimum one-way fare on Madinah to Dhaka and Jeddah to Dhaka routes has been set at TK 20,500. Return fares on Madinah to Dhaka to Madinah and Jeddah to Dhaka to Jeddah routes will cost TK 42,000.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus praised the pro-expatriate policy, calling it an important milestone.

“Many positive initiatives were taken considering the convenience of expatriates, but some collapsed after a while due to lack of proper care. Therefore, it must be ensured that this initiative is implemented with 100 percent effectiveness,” Professor Yunus said.

He thanked Adviser Bashir for the initiative, saying practical decisions would ease expatriate lives and contribute positively to the national economy.