The first government-chartered flight repatriating 194 Irish citizens from the Middle East arrives at Dublin Airport at 5am following its departure from Muscat in Oman yesterday afternoon.
The aircraft was delayed on the runway in Cairo in Egypt during a stopover for a number of hours due to technical issues, bringing vulnerable individuals including older people, children, and those with medical conditions home amid ongoing regional conflict.
It was previously delayed in Oman over what was described as a challenging and volatile situation on the ground there.
Passengers paid €800 each, with children under 16 travelling free, and the government covers overnight hotel stays after a delay due to ground volatility.
Dublin Airport continues to face disruptions for Middle East flights, with only limited Emirates services operating with one departure and one arrival each day.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism supports the operation potentially reimbursing up to 75pc of costs. Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooley said the government was unaware of the scheme until he brought it to their attention. Mr Mullooly urged the Irish Government to apologise for delays and refund costs to citizens returning from Dubai and other UAE areas.
The delay mirrors similar issues encountered by other nations’ charter operations in the area amid ongoing airspace restrictions and disruptions from the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee confirms that intensive efforts continue to assist Irish citizens stranded in the Gulf, with more than 18,000 to 25,000 registering with the department since the conflict escalated, though not all seek immediate return by commercial options, which some of those who registered transferred to.
Passengers travelled to Oman earlier with embassy assistance at the border.
Helen McEntee shared: “It was a challenging journey, in particular for those who travelled over land to Muscat, but I am glad that we have been able to directly facilitate the return of nearly 200 people, including a number of children and infants. The last week has been incredibly distressing for our citizens in the Gulf. The situation remains volatile, with further attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries today, and on Iran,”
