Thousands Flee Middle East Amid Escalating Tensions Over Iran Conflict

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Tens of thousands of people stranded in the Middle East amid US-Israeli conflict seek alternative flights. The United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Saturday, resulting in widespread cancellations of commercial flights. According to Cirium, more than 23,000 flights have been cancelled since the start of the conflict.

Several countries, including the US, UK, France, and Germany, have organized chartered flights to repatriate their citizens. However, these efforts are hindered by logistical challenges due to the near-shutdown of commercial aviation in the region.

The US Department of State has announced plans to increase charter flights for its citizens, following criticism of the Trump administration’s response to stranded travelers. Over 20,000 US citizens have returned home since the conflict began, according to the State Department.

French authorities have also organized chartered flights, including a government-chartered Air France flight that was forced to turn back due to missile fire near Dubai. The UK Foreign Office has received over 138,000 inquiries from British nationals seeking assistance, with most not expected to seek evacuation from the region.

Some travelers are taking advantage of the situation by chartering private flights out of the region. According to JET-VIP, a French-based charter brokerage, scheduling a large-cabin business jet from the Gulf to Europe can cost between $120,000 and $200,000. The company is struggling to keep up with demand due to a mismatch between inquiries and aircraft availability.

Travellers are facing significant costs for alternative flights, with some reporting prices of over $5,000 one-way. The aviation authority has been criticized for not providing sufficient repatriation flights out of Dubai.

Source: Al Jazeera