That is the expectation we have been given. Strange times.

Does anyone know if there are any flights at all out of Saudi? I'm starting to think I'd prefer to head back to the UK to sit this all with my family and I can work remotely. Not worried about tax residence if I get stuck in the UK for ages by accident - rather that than being in the middle east and unable to get home for months or longer. And if anyone wants to join forces to see if we can get a plane arranged by the British government or similar, PM me.

British Airways have cancelled my return flight on the 18th April but have not cancelled my outbound on the 10th April. I have obviously raise the question about this decision with BA customer services. Since I have yet to receive a reply, I don't know, which suggests they are not party to this information. I think your in Riyadh so you might try Ethiopian.

Unfortunately all commercial international flights in and out of Saudi have stopped. There were a couple of emergency commercial flights out till the 15th for non-Saudis wanting to get out. I also understand land borders have been closed with exception for goods transporting. You can try contacting the British Embassy if you really need to get back to the UK.

That was a joke right? 🤔️

Fairly sure Ethiopian was on the banned country list before thy flight ban. I work with a few South Africans and I remember them talking about it.

Good luck with that! If you're not half dead, do not expect any help from the British embassy. You are on your own .

Strange but true Ethiopia is not on the banned list, not even in Kuwait (When the flights were operating)

This says otherwise.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1640286/saudi-arabia

Thanks - yes, I'm Riyadh based. Are Ethiopian still flying? I'm wary of indirect routes in case of getting stuck in the transit airport but will check it out. Crazy times!

that’s what I am thinking...September before we turn a small corner.

Shameful and humiliating tweet from
the UK Ambassador to Kuwait, which has obviously been deleted now.

HM FCO. Always there when there’s a staff piss up or Harry Potter party to be organised.

Guys come on,
Guys you are industry, if not its captains then certainly its officers, you have never expected or required your embassy to do anything more than paperwork. A scared civil servant has offered advise based on experiences very different to your own. Move on

I'm aware of how useless the embassy normally is, but with enough public pressure they can be embarrassed into doing the right thing. e.g. a special plane is being put on to fly British expats out of Peru later this week. Why not Saudi / UAE??