First UK Evacuation Flight from Oman Takes Off Amid Iran War Escalation
The first government-chartered flight to evacuate UK citizens from the Middle East has reportedly taken off from Muscat, Oman, this evening as the war in Iran continues to escalate. The flight departed around 7pm UK time, marking a critical step in the British government's response to the growing conflict.
Evacuation Efforts and Flight Details
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that two additional government-chartered flights are scheduled to depart from Muscat to London Heathrow on Friday and Saturday. This initial rescue flight, along with a British Airways commercial flight from Muscat, left on Wednesday night. In total, more than 1,000 British nationals have already returned to the UK on commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates as of Tuesday, with eight more UK flights planned to depart the UAE today.
However, a widespread evacuation of the 130,000 British nationals registered in the Middle East is not expected. Commercial flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE are largely cancelled due to airspace restrictions caused by the conflict between Iran and the US. British Airways, which typically does not serve Muscat, remains unable to operate scheduled flights from key hubs like Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv.
Muscat Emerges as Key Evacuation Hub
Muscat has become a pivotal location for evacuations, as the Foreign Office has not advised against travel to Oman's airport, unlike its warnings for airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. The city is accessible by road from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with journeys of approximately 300 miles. Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 noted that Muscat has "become a popular alternative for flying out of the region," but warned that nearly all scheduled flights from there are fully booked.
The Foreign Office stated: 'There are a limited number of commercial options available, including by air from the UAE and from Oman. If your presence in the UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing – if you judge you can access these options safely.' Despite the war, Oman Air continues to operate its two daily return flights between Muscat and Heathrow.
Impact on Regional Travel and Passenger Backlog
The conflict has severely disrupted air travel in the region, with airports in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi—which usually handle about half a million passengers daily as vital hubs for travel between Europe, Asia, and Australia—facing significant cancellations. Experts predict it could take weeks to clear the backlog of stranded passengers. In response, private jets are being chartered to evacuate those who can afford it, highlighting the challenges in securing safe passage out of the area.
This evacuation effort underscores the broader implications of the Iran war on global mobility and safety for British nationals abroad, with ongoing developments likely to shape further government actions in the coming days.
