Kathmandu, Nov. 2 -- Rajesh Rai from Khotang was preparing to return home after three years in Saudi Arabia to celebrate Dashain with family. His employer had granted him a month's leave and he had an exit-re-entry visa. He had booked an October 11 Air Arabia flight from Riyadh to Kathmandu via Sharjah.

But a day before departure, Houthi rebels attacked King Khalid International Airport. Thirteen people, according to Saudi authorities, were killed and more than 300 injured. The airport was shut.

After a friend told him that flights were operating from Jeddah, Rai travelled nearly 1,000 kilometres by bus for 13 hours, paying Rs7,000. But he remains in a friend's room, unsure when he can fly home.

"I am neither in my company's camp nor h...