By Blessing Nweke
The UK government has chartered a repatriation flight from Oman to help British nationals leave the Middle East amid escalating regional violence.
The flight — the first specifically arranged by the UK authorities since the crisis intensified — is scheduled to depart from Muscat International Airport on Wednesday at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT). Officials said priority will be given to the most vulnerable individuals.
British nationals, along with their spouses or partners and children under 18, are eligible for seats. The Foreign Office said it would contact eligible citizens directly and urged people not to travel to the airport unless formally invited.
The move comes as air travel across the Middle East remains severely disrupted following strikes launched by the United States and Israel on Iran on Saturday. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in the attacks, prompting swift retaliation from Tehran.
Iran has since targeted American military bases in neighbouring Arab states, as well as civilian and energy infrastructure across the region. Thousands of flights have been cancelled, leaving many travellers stranded.
Several British citizens have told the News they are struggling to find reliable information about routes home, with limited commercial options available.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told MPs that the “safety and security” of British nationals remains the government’s “top priority”.
She said around 130,000 people have signed up to the government’s Register Your Presence programme in countries including Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to several Gulf states as tensions remain high.
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