Desperate vacationers were evacuating the Middle East amidst heightened conflict today.
A third government-chartered flight from Oman was scheduled to depart for London, carrying British families fleeing missile attacks in Dubai and other Gulf states. Despite the Iranian Defence Ministry’s declaration of readiness for war, more than 9000 Britons have been repatriated from the United Arab Emirates since March 3. Commercial flights carrying 3200 individuals operated on Saturday, and flights to London from Qatar have resumed.
However, severe airspace restrictions persist due to ongoing aerial bombardments, with reports of missile and drone activity in the UAE over the weekend. Additional Iranian weaponry targeted Dubai, causing damage to buildings and resulting in the tragic death of a driver due to falling debris.
The British Foreign Office advised nationals to adhere to travel guidance for each country and local directives amid the volatile and potentially escalating situation. Over 168,000 British citizens are currently present in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Embassies in the Gulf states are coordinating operations, prioritizing elderly and families with children for seats on government flights. Tourists in the region have been offered seats for £350 due to high demand, with commercial flights witnessing a surge in bookings as soon as they are available.
Two British teachers in Dubai had the opportunity to board a flight departing at 7pm UK time but chose to retain their later Omanair flights. The demand for commercial flight seats out of the region has been substantial, leading to increased travel back to the UK via various airports, including those in Europe, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Jamie Mallon, a 54-year-old financial advisor from Southampton, expressed concerns about the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi potentially being a target for Iran, drawing parallels to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Centre in New York. Jamie and his daughter, Izzy, 27, who had recently returned from Thailand after a long work stint, found themselves amidst the escalating conflict shortly after their arrival in Abu Dhabi. They managed to secure BA flights to return home on Saturday.
