The recent sandstorm that swept the Kingdom paralyzed air traffic at major airports, where many flights were canceled, leading to passenger accumulation.

Many passengers appealed to authorities to prepare a professional emergency plan to be applied during any future crisis.

Fahd Al-Afnan, a passenger, said: “After the flight had been delayed for five hours, it (boarding) was announced at one gate; but when I went there, I found that the flight had taken off. I was shocked.”

Another passenger complained that she was forced to stay with her children in Dammam airport for 12 hours, while her luggage traveled to Riyadh, adding that her flight was supposed to head from Tabuk to Riyadh, but she was surprised they had changed her route to Dammam.

Amani Al-Aodah, flying to Qassim via Dammam airport, said that she tried many times to change her flight, but the airline did not provide any emergency plans for such cases, or assistance with respect to inquiries, meals, or accommodation, pointing out that the children were sick and tired due to the long waiting period.

Passengers said some flights were delayed for more than 24 hours, and then canceled without any apology.

Some passengers thanked the management at the King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) for providing needed services and immediate financial support for land travel.

KFIA Director Yusuf Al-Dhahri said the sandstorm that hit the Kingdom caused the cancellation and delay of flights at all airports. “There are many procedures to contain the crisis, including providing seats and snacks for passengers, taking care of the elderly and children and coordinating with passengers to reschedule their flights,” he said.

“King Fahd International Airport in Dammam allocated buses to transfer passengers from 10 flights to Riyadh,” he added.