Second Government Charter Flight from Middle East Arrives in Dublin
A second chartered flight organised by the Irish government, carrying almost 200 citizens from the war-torn Middle East, has successfully landed at Dublin Airport. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, confirmed the arrival and extended a warm welcome to all passengers on board.
Flight Details and Passenger Composition
The aircraft departed from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and transported a total of 217 individuals. Among these, 27 passengers were citizens from other European Union member states, highlighting the collaborative effort in the evacuation process. The flight's primary focus was on vulnerable Irish citizens who had become stranded in the Gulf region due to the ongoing conflict.
In a social media post on Wednesday evening, Minister McEntee stated: "Welcome home to all passengers on our second Government charter flight from the Gulf region which has landed safely at Dublin Airport. Our work to support Irish citizens in the Gulf continues. Any citizen who needs assistance can contact the Consular Crisis Team on +3531408200."
Context of the Evacuation Efforts
This marks the second such operation conducted by the Irish government in recent days. The first chartered flight arrived on Sunday morning after experiencing several delays. Passengers on that initial flight reported a gruelling journey of over 52 hours from the UAE to Dublin, with the aircraft departing from Muscat in Oman and making an intermediate stop in Cairo, Egypt.
That earlier flight carried approximately 194 people, with places costing 800 euros for adults, while children under the age of 16 travelled free of charge. In addition to these government-organised flights, hundreds of Irish citizens have recently returned from the region via commercial Emirates flights to Dublin, indicating a broader exodus amid the escalating tensions.
Ongoing Support and Embassy Role
The Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates has been actively involved, prioritising the evacuation of vulnerable citizens stranded in the Gulf. The Consular Crisis Team remains on standby to provide assistance, as emphasised by Minister McEntee's public statement. The government's continued efforts underscore its commitment to ensuring the safety and repatriation of Irish nationals affected by the Middle East conflict.
