Amid recent airport closures caused by unrest in the region, several residents of Riyadh faced significant challenges returning home from abroad this week. Among them was Amal Sghaier, who traveled from South Korea to Saudi Arabia via multiple detours after her original flight was canceled less than 24 hours before departure.

Sghaier, who had been on an eight-day vacation in Seoul, initially planned to fly directly to Riyadh. However, with airports closed, she sought alternative routes and eventually chose to travel through Bahrain, transiting via Dubai with Emirates Airlines. Upon arrival in Bahrain, she obtained a visa on arrival and secured a taxi to Khobar, northeast of Riyadh. From there, a friend drove her the remaining distance to the capital. The overall journey lasted nearly 22 hours and included over 600 kilometers by road. Despite the extended travel time, she described her experience as smooth and emphasized feeling safe throughout her return. Sghaier has been residing in Riyadh for more than two years and expressed relief at being back, stating that she always feels secure in Saudi Arabia.

Similarly, Rania Abdulrahman, another Riyadh resident stranded in Kuwait, encountered disrupted travel plans after her flight to Riyadh was canceled. After contacting the Saudi Embassy, Abdulrahman was instructed to report to a designated meeting point where a bus was arranged to transport her and other passengers by road to Riyadh. The embassy took measures to ensure travelers had valid identification and confirmed accommodations prior to departure. While no embassy staff accompanied the group on the 12-hour trip, passengers received meals and continuous assistance. Abdulrahman described the journey as exhausting but felt gratitude upon arrival and praised the embassy's coordination, noting, "A thousand thanks to the Saudi Embassy."

Both individuals highlighted the complications caused by regional disruptions that affected air travel, forcing many to seek unconventional routes to return home. The embassy’s involvement in facilitating safe passage and providing support to stranded citizens reflects ongoing efforts to manage the situation amid instability. Despite the challenges, those interviewed reported feeling secure upon their return to Riyadh, underscoring a broader sense of safety within Saudi Arabia during an uncertain time.