Charter flight carrying Irish citizens from the Middle East departs Oman for Dublin

Government-assisted flight leaves Oman after delay, carrying 194 passengers home to Dublin via Cairo tonight

Dublin Airport. File photo

A Government-chartered flight carrying Irish citizens from the Middle East has departed Oman and is expected to arrive in Dublin later tonight.

The flight, arranged by the department of foreign affairs to assist Irish citizens in the region, left Oman earlier today and will make a scheduled stop in Cairo before continuing on to Ireland.

According to a spokesperson for foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee, there are 194 passengers on board the aircraft, which has a total capacity of 280 seats.

The flight had originally been scheduled to depart yesterday but was delayed due to what officials described as a “challenging, volatile situation on the ground in Oman”.

Passengers travelling on the Government-assisted flight are contributing €800 towards the cost of the journey, while children under the age of 16 are travelling free of charge.

The service was organised to help Irish citizens leave the region safely, with the Department of Foreign Affairs coordinating travel arrangements and communication with those seeking assistance.

The aircraft is expected to land in Dublin later tonight after completing its stopover in Cairo.