Interior Ministry: Number 992 for Gulf nationals stranded in Saudi airports
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has announced the allocation of the number (992) as a direct communication channel dedicated to receiving inquiries and feedback from citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries stranded at Saudi airports. This urgent step comes as part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' government's commitment to the safety and comfort of its Gulf brothers and sisters, ensuring the facilitation of their procedures and overcoming any obstacles they may encounter at airports.
How the unified call center 992 works
The General Directorate of Passports' unified call center (992) is one of the most important service channels the Ministry relies on to communicate with the public. The center has been staffed with trained and qualified personnel to handle emergencies and urgent inquiries, particularly those related to travel and departure procedures. This service allows Gulf citizens at airports to immediately contact the relevant authorities to resolve any issues that might prevent them from completing their travel arrangements, whether related to updating data, inquiring about new regulations, or addressing the situations of those stranded due to emergency flight disruptions.
General context and organizational efforts
This initiative is part of a series of regulatory and precautionary measures taken by the Kingdom to ensure the smooth flow of traffic at international ports of entry, particularly during peak times or periods of flight schedule changes. Historically, the General Directorate of Passports has demonstrated high efficiency in crisis management and handling humanitarian cases. This measure is an extension of the Kingdom's consistent policy of providing comprehensive care to its guests and citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, treating them as Saudi citizens in many service and security aspects.
The importance of the decision and its regional impact
This decision carries significant implications at both the local and regional levels, reflecting the deep and strong fraternal ties that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to its sister nations in the Gulf Cooperation Council. This measure is expected to contribute to:
- Enhancing reassurance: Providing an official and reliable channel of communication reduces anxiety and confusion among stranded travelers, and gives them a sense of security that there is a government agency directly following up on their affairs.
- Speed of response: The unified number ensures that reports reach officials quickly and that appropriate decisions are made in record time, preventing overcrowding of travelers in airport terminals.
- Gulf integration: This move confirms the Kingdom’s commitment to its leading role in the region and its concern for the stability and safety of the citizens of the GCC countries, which strengthens the bonds of cooperation and integration between the security and service agencies in the Gulf countries.
In conclusion, the relevant authorities called on all Gulf nationals who are facing difficulties at airports not to hesitate to call the number (992), stressing that all crews are working around the clock to serve them and ensure their safe return to their countries.
