A second flight from Dubai has landed at Dublin Airport, bringing relief to passengers who had been stranded in the United Arab Emirates since the outbreak of conflict between Iran, the US and Israel. The crisis caused widespread airspace closures in the Middle East, leading to major flight disruptions.
Passengers described harrowing experiences, including hearing explosions, seeing missile trails, and being evacuated from the airport after an explosion on Saturday night. Many had rebooked flights multiple times before finally securing a seat on the Dublin-bound plane.
Anna Callaghan from Donegal was overcome with emotion as her mother Patricia surprised her at the airport. “We were seeing and hearing bangs and explosions, last night in particular it was jet after jet after jet going overhead,” Anna said. “This is my fourth flight that I rebooked and I didn’t think I was going to get out.”
Elaine Gleeson from Limerick surprised her sister Norita Geary with a balloon and flowers. “Everyone clapped when the plane landed, and cheered, it was just magic,” Norita said. Gina Quinn from Dublin described a national alarm in the middle of the night that woke everyone up, adding that getting information on when they could fly home was “nigh impossible”.
Further direct flights from the Middle East are expected to land in Dublin on Thursday, and a government charter plane is scheduled later this week. Passengers expressed relief at being back on Irish soil, with many still worried for others still stranded.
