PH Embassy in Manama Assists 59 Filipino Stranded Transit Passengers in Bahrain to Return Home to Manila

Stranded Filipino nationals from Riyadh, Dubai, Cairo, and London at the Bahrain International Airport wait to board their flight to Manila on 01 November 2020. (Manama PE photo)

MANAMA 05 November 2020 – After being stranded in Bahrain for more than 24 hours due to the cancellation of flights to Manila as Typhoon Rolly hit Luzon, 59 Overseas Filipino Workers finally returned to the Philippines on-board Gulf Air Flight 154 in the evening of 01 November 2020.

The passengers who travelled from Riyadh, Dubai, Cairo, and London, were transiting through Bahrain International Airport to depart on 31 October 2020 for the Philippines before the sudden cancellation of their flight to Manila. Upon learning of this development, the Philippine Embassy in Manama proceeded to the airport to provide appropriate assistance.

In coordination with Gulf Air, arrangements were immediately made which enabled all passengers to undergo COVID-19 testing, and be accommodated at a hotel in Manama until the schedule of their next flight.

Dr. Mary Jane Avendano, an optometrist working in Ras Al Khaima, United Arab Emirates, conveyed her appreciation and said “Despite the cancellation of our flight, we are very blessed and thankful that the Philippine Embassy and Gulf Air carefully arranged for our comfort and safety while we are in Bahrain.”    

Bahrain International Airport is becoming a transit hub for thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) especially since the onset of the pandemic due to the continued operation of Gulf Air’s direct flight to Manila. END

For more information, visit https://www.manamape.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinBahrain.