Relief as first Irish flight from Dubai since Middle East crisis touches down

There was relief and tearful reunions at Dublin Airport as the first flight from Dubai touched down since the recent crisis in the Middle East.

Many had been in the UAE city since last Saturday amid the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel which caused widespread airspace closures in the Middle East, sparking major disruption to flights.

There are to be further direct flights from the Middle East landing in Dublin on Thursday, and a government charter plane later this week.

Some were too overcome to speak as they arrived late on Thursday night, while others described alarms in the middle of the night and seeing missile trails in Dubai where the Fairmont The Palm Hotel and the airport were hit.

Anna Callaghan from Donegal was overcome to be surprised by her mother having travelled from the north west to Dublin Airport to see her.

“My mum’s come all the way from Donegal, that’s why I’m a little overwhelmed, I live in Dublin so I wasn’t expecting to see her,” she said, as the pair embraced again, her mother Patricia responding: “I’m just glad she’s on the ground now”.

Ms Callaghan described a stressful and scary situation.

“We were seeing and hearing bangs and explosions, last night in particular it was jet after jet after jet going overhead, and then we heard the US Consulate was hit and that really scared everyone,” she said.

“This is my fourth flight that I rebooked and I didn’t think I was going to get out.” 

Elaine Gleeson from Limerick also surprised a family member, turning up with a balloon and flowers to welcome home her sister, Norita Geary.

“Everyone clapped when the plane landed, and cheered, it was just magic,” Ms Geary said.

Norita Geary (left) and sister Elaine Gleeson. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

“I didn’t expect to see her (Elaine) because I told her I was getting a lift home,” she added, hugging her sister.

“Dublin is the most beautiful city in the world.” 

Gina Quinn from Dublin described hearing a national alarm in the middle of the night which woke them all up.

“It was very frightening, you just didn’t know and getting information on when you might be able to fly home was nigh impossible, the airlines were great but they were inundated,” she said.

“I think everyone on the flight coming in tonight is absolutely delighted, just hope that everybody else gets home quickly because it’s a very uncertain situation.

“It’s fantastic to be home.” 

Rob McClean from Greystones, who had been transiting through from India, said it was a massive relief to be home.

“I was in the airport on Saturday night when the explosion happened so we were evacuated from there which was pretty tough,” he said. “It’s been nerve-racking for my family.” 

Jimmy O’Connor from Longford said he had been on his way home from Australia visiting his daughter in Sydney when he got caught up in the situation in Dubai.

“We didn’t think it would be such a long journey home, but we’re back now safe and sound,” he said.

'A huge relief to land in Ireland'

There were also a number of passengers from across Europe who took the flight to Dublin in desperation to flee the Middle East.

Alex Anderson, a French-American who lives in Frankfurt, described “huge relief” and said it was very emotional to land in Dublin.

“It was really difficult, I was a transfer passenger, I was supposed to be going on to Frankfurt on February 28, when I was coming in from Malaysia we actually saw the missile trails, but we didn’t know what it was then, just thought it was planes,” he said.

“It was really shocking when we landed and found out what had happened.

“I moved as quickly as I could out of the terminal building, and an hour later it got hit. Then there was the long wait of days, hearing thumps, anti missile stuff, that was nerve wracking, they definitely had a lot of drones coming over.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a full blown warzone like you would see in Gaza, but it’s getting close.

“It’s a huge relief to land in Ireland, and a bit emotional. Tomorrow morning I’ll fly back home to my wife and kids in Frankfurt.” 

Upama Ghosh (right) from India is met by her friends as she arrives at Dublin Airport. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Dave and Gina Salt from Stoke on Trent described their experience in Dubai as “scary sometimes hearing explosions”.

“Other than that we felt quite safe, but relieved to get back, this was our fourth attempt to get out (of Dubai),” Mr Salt added.

Friends Andy Barnes from Hertfordshire and Andy Teasdale from Cumbria said they had spent their time in Dubai since their flight home was cancelled on Saturday in hotel basements.

“We were at the airport from 3.30am, there were no flights available but we went on the waiting list and ended up getting on the last flight out,” they said.

They had been staying in the area around the marina and said it had been “pretty hairy” at times.

“We saw a lot of interceptions, Saturday night was really hairy,” Mr Teasdale said.

“We were out having a pizza sat out by the pool, and heard bangs going off, which we later found out were interceptions, you could see it all in the side, and then we saw smoke coming from the Fairmont Hotel,” Mr Barnes added.