The United Kingdom has announced its first government-chartered repatriation flight to assist British nationals seeking to leave the Middle East as violence continues across the region.
The flight, arranged by the UK Foreign Office, is scheduled to depart from Muscat International Airport on Wednesday at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Authorities said priority would be given to the most vulnerable individuals.
British nationals, along with their spouses or partners and children under the age of 18, are eligible for the flight.
The Foreign Office said it would directly contact those selected for travel and urged people not to proceed to the airport unless officially notified.
The move comes after widespread disruption to air travel across the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks targeting American military bases and infrastructure across the Gulf, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and leaving many foreign nationals stranded.
The Foreign Office called on British nationals who previously registered their presence in the United Arab Emirates but are now in Oman to urgently complete an online form if they wish to be considered for the charter flight.
Non-British dependents must hold valid UK travel documentation, such as a visa or permission to remain granted for more than six months, to qualify.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told Members of Parliament that the safety and security of British nationals remains the government’s top priority.
She indicated earlier that Oman would likely serve as the departure point for the first evacuation effort.
According to officials, approximately 130,000 British nationals have signed up for the “Register Your Presence” programme in countries including Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
While some commercial routes remain operational including limited departures from Dubai and a British Airways flight scheduled from Muscat to London Heathrow many travellers continue to face uncertainty amid ongoing regional instability.
The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, as the conflict’s impact on civilian infrastructure and regional security deepens.
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