The Center has called for facilitating the return of Keralites stranded in Saudi Arabia

ByTech Word News

Kerala Government Special Representative and All India Forward Bloc General Secretary G. Devarajan. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The Kerala government on Monday (October 26, 2026) wrote to Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi seeking urgent intervention to facilitate the return of Keralites stranded in Saudi Arabia and neighboring locations due to flight disruption.

Kerala Government Special Representative and All India Forward Bloc General Secretary G. Devarajan, in a letter to Mr. Naidu, said a large number of Keralites were facing severe hardship due to the prevailing unstable situation and disruption of air services.

Mr. Devarajan said many of them had traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Umrah, while others had gone on visas. “They are now facing considerable hardship and uncertainty, unable to return to their homes in Kerala. The situation is particularly worrisome for patients requiring urgent medical attention, pregnant women, children and other vulnerable persons who are stranded and awaiting safe passage home. Their plight requires immediate intervention by the relevant authorities to ensure their safe and timely return,” he said.

Proactive approach

Mr. Deverajan asked the Union Minister to initiate negotiations with the airline operators and take all necessary steps to resume regular flights from Saudi Arabia as soon as possible. “These circumstances call for an immediate exploration of all available options to facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals,” he said, adding that the proactive approach taken during the COVID-19 pandemic is urgently required in the current situation.

“Therefore, I request you to direct airline operators to immediately resume their services whenever operationally possible and arrange special or charter flights from operational airports in Saudi Arabia and nearby locations, subject to prevailing safety and operational requirements,” he added.

Published – 26 Oct 2026 21:26 IST