Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has given permission to Saudi Arabian Airlines to operate two more weekly flights from Dhaka to the Gulf country from October 1.

"Saudia sought permission to operate two more weekly flights from us and we gave them permission," CAAB Chairman Air-Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman told The Daily Star over phone.

Earlier last week, the CAAB chairman said Bangladesh is ready to give permission to other Saudi carriers to operate from Dhaka, to carry Bangladeshi expatriate workers to the Gulf country.

A top official of Saudi Arabian Airlines' Dhaka office said from October 1, the airline will operate weekly two flights in addition to its existing two flights.

The government on September 23 said the Saudi government has agreed to extend iqama (work permit) and visas for 24 days for Bangladeshis who returned home on holiday but could not go back to the kingdom due to the pandemic.