Second Government-chartered flight from Middle East expected on Wednesday

Passengers are welcomed by family members as they arrive at Dublin Airport following an Irish Government chartered flight from Oman, which stopped at Cairo, before touching down in Dublin in the early hours of Sunday. 

The Government is organising a second charter flight to depart Abu Dhabi later this week, to evacuate Irish citizens from the Gulf after the outbreak of war in Iran.

In a post on X, foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee confirmed the flight would depart from the UAE this week.

“I’m pleased to say that we are arranging a second government charter flight later this week from Abu Dhabi. We are now contacting those citizens in the UAE who have already been in contact with us requesting assistance to return to Ireland,” Ms McEntee wrote.

She briefed her Cabinet colleagues on Monday about the flight.

It is expected to depart Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, but could be delayed given the fluid situation in the region.

Ministers were told that the majority of Irish citizens who were in transit through Dubai or who were on their holidays have now left.

A Government spokesperson said that consular assistance to those still in the region is continuing to be provided.

The first charter flight, which departed from Oman, arrived in Dublin on Saturday evening with a total of 194 passengers on board.

It had originally been due to leave on Friday but was delayed due to a “challenging, volatile situation on the ground in Oman”.