The UK is sending chartered flights to bring home British nationals stranded across the Middle East as Iranian missile and drone attacks continue to disrupt travel. The first flight from Oman is scheduled for Wednesday at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
Government response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer told MPs that further chartered flights will operate “in the coming days” and that eight commercial flights are also scheduled from the United Arab Emirates.
More than 130,000 Britons have registered for assistance since the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran began on Saturday. The UK Foreign Office is coordinating with airlines to find additional routes while warning against all but essential travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Flight arrangements
The Foreign Office said British nationals, their spouses or partners, and children under 18 in Oman are being prioritised for the initial charter flight. British Airways will operate two flights from Oman to London Heathrow on Friday and Saturday for passengers with existing bookings.
Many stranded Britons must travel to Oman from the UAE to board the government flight, a journey of around 280 miles from Dubai to Muscat. Demand for the chartered flight is expected to exceed capacity.
Disrupted airspace
Flights remain partially or fully grounded over Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Syria, the UAE, and Israel. Emirates has suspended most commercial flights to and from Dubai, operating only limited repatriation and cargo flights. Etihad Airways has halted flights to Abu Dhabi until Thursday, while Qatar Airways awaits clearance from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.
Impact on Cyprus airports
Cyprus airports have also faced disruption after a drone strike on the UK military base at RAF Akrotiri. Larnaca and Paphos have seen multiple flight cancellations involving airlines including EasyJet, TUI, Lufthansa, Cyprus Airways, and Wizz Air.
UK military response
The UK is bolstering security in the region by deploying the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon to the Mediterranean to protect the British base at Akrotiri. Officials have not confirmed the vessel’s departure date.
Also read: Hermes Airports press release on current airports operations
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