The first flight chartered by the UK government for Britons seeking to leave the Middle East amid the widening Iran war did not take off, Sky News understands.
The plane was due to depart the Omani capital of Muscat at 11pm local time (7pm UK time) on Wednesday.
Follow live updates on the Middle East crisis
Since the US-Israeli action against Iran, and the subsequent response which has engulfed the region, began at the weekend, some air traffic has resumed as thousands of foreign nationals seek to return home.
There have been commercial flights, as well as some chartered by governments. Sir Keir Starmer has said more than 1,000 British nationals have arrived back on commercial flights already.
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Sky News has approached the Foreign Office for comment about why the Wednesday night flight didn’t go ahead.
It is understood that it has been rescheduled for later on Thursday.
‘People had panic attacks’
A passenger who was due to travel on the flight, but wished to remain anonymous, described the situation as a «total shambles».
They told Sky News: «[The] check-in process took about four hours due to technical issues.
«We then got taken to the plane on a bus but had to stay on it for about one-and-a-half hours.
«No consular staff were present airside. «They just left us,» said a witness. «People started getting very agitated, banging windows, panic attacks. There are dozens and dozens of vulnerable people, young children and families.»
The first flight chartered by the UK government for Britons seeking to leave the Middle East amid the widening Iran war did not take off, Sky News understands. The plane was due to depart the Omani capital of Muscat at 11pm local time (7pm UK time) on Wednesday.
British Airways is among the carriers to have been operating flights back to the UK, including from Muscat. Muscat has emerged as a key location for people trying to leave the Middle East – it can be reached by road from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi with journeys of about 300 miles. People who were due on the first chartered flight have been taken back to a hotel.
The passenger who spoke to Sky News about their experience claimed they’d been told that «due to slow check-in and delays, the pilot had clocked his hours so needed to rest.» «We have been told the plane will take off later today [Thursday] once the pilot has rested,» they added. «The stress this has caused these vulnerable people is incredibly serious.»
Follow live updates on the Middle East crisis. Since the US-Israeli action against Iran, and the subsequent response which has engulfed the region, began at the weekend, some air traffic has resumed as thousands of foreign nationals seek to return home. There have been commercial flights, as well as some chartered by governments. Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that over 1,000 British nationals have returned on commercial flights. Sky News has reached out to the Foreign Office for clarification on the cancellation of a flight on Wednesday night, which has been rescheduled for later on Thursday. Passengers on the flight described the situation as chaotic, with long check-in processes and no consular staff present. British Airways is among the airlines assisting in repatriating individuals from the Middle East, with Muscat being a key location for departures. The stress and anxiety caused by delays and cancellations have particularly affected vulnerable individuals and families. The UK government’s first chartered flight for Britons looking to leave the Middle East amid the escalating Iran conflict did not take off as planned from the Omani capital of Muscat. The flight was scheduled to depart at 11pm local time on Wednesday but faced delays.
In the wake of the US-Israeli actions against Iran and the subsequent regional turmoil, air travel has partially resumed, with many foreign nationals trying to return home. Both commercial and government-chartered flights have been utilized for this purpose. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer mentioned that over 1,000 British citizens have already returned on commercial flights.
One individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared their experience as a passenger scheduled for the aborted flight, labeling the situation a «total shambles.» They highlighted that the check-in process lasted around four hours due to technical problems. Subsequently, passengers were bussed to the plane but had to wait onboard for approximately one-and-a-half hours. Notably, there were no consular staff present at the airport during this time.
Sky News has sought comment from the Foreign Office regarding the reasons behind the flight’s cancellation. It has been reported that the flight has been rescheduled for a later time on Thursday.
The challenges faced by passengers attempting to leave the Middle East during this chaotic period underscore the complexities and uncertainties surrounding travel arrangements in conflict zones. The unforeseen delays and logistical issues experienced by those seeking repatriation serve as a stark reminder of the impact of geopolitical tensions on ordinary individuals caught in the midst of crisis.
As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential for governments and authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of their citizens abroad. The need for efficient and coordinated repatriation efforts becomes increasingly evident as more individuals find themselves stranded or facing difficulties in returning home.
The plight of those affected by the conflict in the Middle East serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and political unrest. The challenges faced by travelers trying to navigate the complexities of international travel during such turbulent times highlight the importance of timely and effective response mechanisms to ensure the protection and support of those in need.
In conclusion, the aborted chartered flight from Oman underscores the challenges and uncertainties faced by individuals seeking to leave the Middle East amid escalating tensions. The rescheduling of the flight and the experiences of passengers involved shed light on the complexities of travel arrangements during times of crisis and the critical need for coordinated repatriation efforts to safeguard the well-being of those affected by geopolitical conflicts.
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Por Michael Bunting
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