Hundreds of citizens have registered for a government-organised repatriation flight from the Middle East as conflict across the region disrupts air travel and leaves travellers stranded.
Foreign ministry officials say demand for the flight far exceeds available seats. The aircraft scheduled to depart on Sunday has space for about 155 to 160 passengers.
More than 600 people have already expressed interest in the flight.
Foreign ministry consular chief Jussi Tanner said authorities recognise that many people in the region require assistance to return home.
“The situation is difficult. There are clearly citizens who need help,” Tanner said at a press briefing.
The flight will depart from Muscat, the capital of Oman. Passengers located in the United Arab Emirates must travel by bus to Oman before boarding the aircraft.
Officials estimate the price of the flight at around €2,300 per passenger. Travellers must also pay roughly €100 for the bus journey from the Emirates to Muscat.
The government says the cost reflects the high insurance and operational expenses linked to flying in a conflict zone. Under consular services law, passengers must cover the costs of evacuation or repatriation flights themselves.
“The flight is extremely expensive, mainly because of insurance costs,” Tanner said.
Priority for seats will go to families with children and people in vulnerable situations.
Authorities report around 3,000 citizens across the Middle East, including about 2,000 in the United Arab Emirates. Some travellers have already left the region using commercial flights, although options remain limited as airlines cancel routes or suspend services.
Airlines continue to adjust schedules following military escalation in the region. Some carriers have resumed limited operations from Dubai, while other airlines have cancelled flights for weeks.
Officials say the government currently has funding for only one repatriation flight. Additional flights would require a separate political decision.
Demand for evacuation options remains high as hostilities continue across several countries in the region.
Tanner said authorities have no information indicating that any citizens have been injured in the conflict.
At the same time, the ministry warns that conditions remain unpredictable.
“The threat picture in the Persian Gulf is similar to what it has been,” Tanner said. “It is possible that the situation improves, but it is also possible that it worsens.”
Officials also note that the government has not activated the European Union civil protection mechanism for the flight. The mechanism allows countries to recover some costs when seats are offered to citizens of other EU states.
In this case, officials say demand from their own citizens already exceeds available capacity.
The foreign ministry has deployed a consular support team to Abu Dhabi to assist citizens in the United Arab Emirates. The team provides advice and support to travellers who seek routes out of the region.
HT