LAST UPDATE | 2 Mar

IRISH PASSENGERS “STRANDED in transit” will be “prioritised” as some “limited” flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports resume this evening.

Speaking on RTÉ this morning, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne said hundreds of Irish people are stuck in transit in the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, while thousands more are living in the region.

Iran’s unprecedented bombardment in the Gulf states has hit military bases but also civilian infrastructure such as residential buildings, hotels, airports and seaports.

Since Iran launched its campaign on Saturday, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Manama airports were targeted.

At 9am this morning, Dublin Airport said all flights scheduled to operate between Dublin Airport and airports in the Middle East today have been cancelled by airlines.

All flights scheduled to operate between Dublin Airport and airports in the Middle East today (Monday) have been cancelled by airlines.

The Dublin Airport team continues to work closely with airlines as they deal with the impact of airspace and airport closures in the Middle… pic.twitter.com/bav4u8KSvO

— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 2, 2026

It advised that due to uncertainty over when airspace and airports in the Middle East will reopen, further disruption to flight schedules over the coming days is possible.

Passengers were advised to contact their airline directly for the latest updates on the status of their flight.

Up to 6,000 passengers have been impacted so far.

However, Dubai Airports have announced a “limited resumption” of flights from Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport starting this evening.

Abu Dhabi airports also said “operations partially resumed” on Monday.

Emirates and low-cost carrier flydubai both said they would resume some flights Monday evening.

This afternoon, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said “passengers stranded in transit are being prioritised and airlines are in direct contact with those eligible”.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates as they arise,” she added.

The Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi meanwhile said it is aware of a limited number of flights scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport this afternoon.

It also noted that passengers stranded in transit are being prioritised.

pic.twitter.com/XP8ljAiuoW

— Irish Embassy UAE (@IrelandEmbUAE) March 2, 2026

The Embassy said Irish citizens with travel plans should continue to liaise directly with their airlines or travel agents for updates.

Meanwhile, Byrne said the government is not recommending people attempt to leave impacted states by driving to unaffected neighbouring countries, such as Oman where flight disruption is less

“We can’t recommend those land routes because of the sheer numbers of Irish people that are there.

“If one or two people do them, and it may well be and see people on the radio or television who’ve succeeded in doing this today, but the reality is, we can’t recommend this for over 10,000 people, because we simply don’t know what the consequences would be,” Byrne said. 

He added: “As things develop, we’re continuing to examine the situation to see what the options might be for people who want to leave, and that will be done in close coordination with all of our EU allies.”

McEntee meanwhile noted that it is “very difficult” to tell citizens currently in Gulf states to follow advice “on the ground” when they “want to do more”.

McEntee said hundreds more people have registered with Irish authorities since the escalation in the conflict in the Middle East over the weekend.

She said there could be up to 22,000 Irish citizens living in the wider region.

She reiterated advice to them to “stay sheltered”, check directly with airlines if they intend to travel and register with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

McEntee said: “The most important thing is for people on the ground to follow the advice that has been given in the region.

“I appreciate that that’s a very difficult statement to make when people feel like they want to do more, they want to be able to do more.

“But at the moment, because of the uncertainty, because of the challenges, it is important that the advice that is there to stay indoors, to stay sheltered, that people follow that advice.”

She said the register being compiled by her department is to get a “complete picture” of Irish people in the region and not a tool to distribute information.

McEntee also said Government officials are “engaging with” EU and UK counterparts on evacuation plans.

She said: “I really appreciate just how difficult and distressing it is for so many people, not just for the residents, but you have hundreds of people who are transiting through their holidays who are now stuck within the region.

“Airspace has been closed for the most part, and that has meant that no citizens from any country, including Ireland, have been able to leave the area.

“We know that today there are a small number of flights that have taken off from Abu Dhabi, but we do not know whether or not that will continue in the days ahead, but we’re in close communication with the airlines and with the airports.

McEntee also said she was aware of people attempting to leave the area via overland routes and is considering that as a potential evacuation route.

“I appreciate that there are some people that are looking to travel on land to other countries, for example, like Oman and we are assessing at the moment how safe that is.

“It is very difficult to encourage people to travel, but maybe an eight or nine-hour journey where things are evolving so quickly.

“But of course, we are keeping all of this under consideration.”

Citizens with concerns can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs’ consular team in Dublin at +353 1 408 2000, while those in the region are advised to contact their local Irish embassy.

-With additional reporting from Press Association and Diarmuid Pepper