The first charter flight carrying British nationals back to the UK from the Middle East has departed from Oman, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday. The plane, originally scheduled to leave at 7pm on Wednesday, was delayed due to issues boarding passengers, according to Home Office minister Alex Norris.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, Starmer described the evacuation as "one of the biggest operations of its kind," larger than the Afghanistan evacuation. He stated, "It's not going to happen overnight, but we will not stop until our people are safe." The airlift occurs amid continued US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
More than 2,000 people arrived in the UK on Wednesday on eight flights from the United Arab Emirates, with ten more flights expected on Thursday. However, the government faces criticism from MPs and British nationals over the pace and scale of the effort. A passenger named Mark called the situation a "complete shambles," citing check-in issues and poor communication.
Conservative leader and shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel pressed the government on evacuation timelines, while Labour MP Emily Thornberry relayed constituents' difficulties identifying consular staff at Muscat airport. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer described the operation as "a consular challenge on a scale not seen since Covid," noting that over 140,000 Britons have registered their presence in the region.
British Airways will run a fourth daily flight from Muscat to London Heathrow on Saturday, a route it does not usually serve. Falconer said commercial flights remain the most rapid route home, and additional government-organised flights from Oman will be announced. Vulnerable people are being prioritised, and passengers are asked to pay for seats on government flights.
