São Paulo – Brazilians living in Bahrain are leaving the country via neighboring Saudi Arabia, through which the national carrier Gulf Air announced on Monday (16) it will operate some flights. The airline does not have a direct route to Brazil. Bahrain is one of the countries being bombed by Iran in retaliation for the conflict with the United States and Israel, and it has had its airspace closed since February 28. Saudi Arabia, also targeted by attacks but with a much larger territory and cities farther from Iran, continues to operate international flights.
Around 300 Brazilians live in Bahrain, and before the war began there were also Brazilians in transit and tourism in the country, according to information provided to ANBA by Karina Morais Pucci, chargé d’affaires at the Embassy of Brazil in Manama. These citizens are being offered four-day emergency transit visas in Saudi Arabia to return to Brazil via that Arab country, an option also available to Brazilians in other Gulf countries.
According to Karina, 181 Brazilians in Bahrain filled out the application form and received emergency transit visas to Saudi Arabia by Monday. “Over the past week, many Brazilians have already left Bahrain, using their own resources, or with emergency transit visas, or with tourist visas,” she said, describing the movement seen as the war escalated.
On Monday, the Brazilian Embassy in Manama transported seven Brazilian women from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia by land. According to the diplomat, the initial plan was to hire a bus for 50 passengers, but only eight people signed up—one later withdrew, and seven traveled, all of them women. Karina attributes the low number to factors such as many Brazilians having already left, the need for some to remain in the country due to work contracts, and the cost of an emergency departure from Bahrain.
“Most of the Brazilians here have limited financial resources,” Karina said. According to the diplomat, many work as hairdressers, dancers, lower-tier football players (some also in the top tier), and personal trainers. “And the cost of leaving—getting transport from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, whether to Riyadh or Dammam, and then taking a flight to Brazil—is something many simply cannot afford,” she explained. There are also other difficulties, such as significantly higher airfare prices and flight cancellations requiring more time than the four days allowed by the Saudi transit visa.
Gulf Air, via Dammam
According to its announcement to customers on Monday, Gulf Air has begun offering temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, until March 28, to Frankfurt, Nairobi, London, Mumbai, and Bangkok. The airline said it will provide transportation between Bahrain and Dammam for passengers with confirmed tickets.
“Gulf Air will provide assistance with Saudi transit visas for passengers traveling to and from Bahrain using the land transport arranged by the airline,” the company said, adding, however, that those traveling with Saudi Arabia as their final destination must hold a valid entry visa obtained independently. “What Gulf Air is doing will be a major relief. It’s very recent, but it’s a big relief for those Brazilians who can afford the ticket and, for example, travel to London and then return to Brazil from there,” she said.
Among the seven Brazilian women transported by the Brazilian Embassy in Manama to Saudi Arabia, four were heading to Dammam and three were set to catch a flight to Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Two already had their plane tickets, while the others were still looking for flights. According to Karina, all but one—who secured a job in Turkey—are returning to Brazil. A second transfer to Saudi Arabia is expected to be arranged for Brazilians, she added.
On Monday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that, 16 days after the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, most of the nearly 8,000 Brazilian travelers have already left or are in the process of leaving the region. The ministry said the resumption of direct flights to Brazil, following efforts by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, is facilitating Brazilians’ departure.
Read more:
Central banks assess global inflation risks
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
