Charter flights confirmed for passengers on cruise line stuck in Middle East
Five charter flights have been confirmed for the coming days as cruise lines remain docked at Dubai and Doha.
Passengers were advised to shelter in place on at least six cruise ships stuck at ports around the UAE amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US and Israel.
Cruise operators, including MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises, have suspended sailings amid escalating attacks across the area.
Cruise operators, including MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises, have suspended sailings amid escalating attacks across the area. Pic: Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
On Thursday morning, a spokesperson for MSC Cruises confirmed they had been ‘pursuing every available pathway’ to evacuate their guests.
‘Decisive action’ has been taken with five charter flights organised by the cruise line, the first of which is set to depart on Thursday, March 5.
A statement from MSC Cruises said they had been ‘working on the safest and quickest way to repatriate our guests.’
A statement from MSC Cruises said they had been ‘working on the safest and quickest way to repatriate our guests.’ Pic: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
‘MSC Cruises has taken decisive action to accelerate this by launching a dedicated flight operation that currently includes five charter flights with the first flight planned to depart today, Thursday 5th March.
‘These flights would see close to 1,000 guests leave the region by Saturday.’
The cruise line added they were working to evacuate the remaining guests, and were pursuing commercial flights, further charter options and coordinated government-assisted solutions.
It comes not long after many tearful reunions at Dublin Airport on Wednesday night as the first flight from Dubai to Dublin touched down since the crisis.
More direct flights from the Middle East are set to land in Dublin on Thursday, as well as a government charter plane later in the week.
Some were too overcome with emotion to speak as they arrived late on Wednesday night, while others described alarms in the middle of the night and seeing missile trails in Dubai, where the Fairmont The Palm Hotel and the airport were hit.
