Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Amid ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, some British citizens currently stranded in the Middle East are scheduled to return home later on Wednesday. Flights in the region have been severely disrupted due to the conflict, prompting the organization of a special repatriation effort.
A chartered flight will depart from Muscat International Airport at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT), prioritizing the most vulnerable passengers for seats. Since the outbreak of hostilities involving the US, Israel, and Iran on Saturday, over 130,000 British nationals have expressed interest in assistance to leave the area. The British government is actively exploring additional options to support those affected by what is being described as the most significant travel disruption since the Covid-19 pandemic.
In terms of security measures, the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon is set to be deployed to the Mediterranean. This move aims to strengthen defenses around the British military base at Akrotiri in Cyprus, which was recently targeted by an Iranian drone attack. However, Treasury minister James Murray did not disclose the exact timeline for when the ship would leave its home port in Portsmouth.
The initial charter flight will carry British nationals along with their spouses or partners and children under 18. Many UK citizens have traveled from cities such as Dubai to Oman to catch this flight, though it is expected that demand will greatly exceed the capacity of the single plane available on Wednesday. The Foreign Office is working with airlines to identify further routes and has advised against all but essential travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized to MPs that protecting the “safety and security” of British nationals remains a top priority, confirming that Oman is likely the first departure point for repatriation flights. Additionally, British nationals have registered their presence in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the UAE. Notably, Muscat—the capital city of Oman—is about a 280-mile journey from Dubai, where many British residents and tourists are currently based. British Airways has also announced it will operate a commercial flight from Muscat to London Heathrow departing early Thursday morning (02:30 local time, 22:30 GMT Wednesday)
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.