Demand for private jets from UK-based Air Charter Service has surged by up to 300% as thousands seek to flee the Middle East following the US-Israel war against Iran. Matt Purton, director of aviation services, said requests have far outstripped supply, with stranded holidaymakers, expats, and wealthy individuals scrambling for exit routes.
Purton noted that the company is receiving calls from everyone, including honeymooners in Dubai and corporate clients. He described the situation as the worst air crisis since Covid, with at least half a million people stuck in the region. Many planes and crews are not positioned to assist, complicating evacuations.
Purton called for European governments to establish an air bridge, possibly from Oman, to move people more efficiently. While his company typically charters entire planes, it is now selling individual seats to help evacuate those stranded. The UK government has arranged flights from Oman, though the first was delayed due to operational issues.
An estimated 300,000 Britons are in affected areas, with over 130,000 registering for assistance. The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to several Gulf states and against any travel to Israel and Palestine. Purton emphasised the fluidity of the situation, saying it feels like 'turning up after an earthquake with a dustpan and brush.'
