THE GOVERNMENT IS to charter a flight to evacuate Irish citizens from Dubai on Wednesday.

This will be the second government-chartered flight to bring Irish people stuck in the Gulf region and the Middle East home. 

At a briefing after today’s Cabinet meeting, a government spokesperson said that Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee believes the majority of Irish people who became stuck in Dubai while transiting through or while on holiday are now out of the region.

Wednesday’s flight is expected to cost €800 for each adult passenger, the same rate as the flight from Oman. A government spokesperson said that the Department of Foreign Affairs will assist anyone struggling to afford the cost of the chartered flight. 

Some commercial flights have left the region since the outbreak of the war, the first commercial flight to Ireland from Dubai touched down in Dublin late last Wednesday.

Family members reunited at Dublin Airport after the government’s charter plane landed in the early hours of Sunday morning. PA PA

Relieved families met their loved ones in Dublin Airport yesterday after the government’s first chartered flight from Muscat in Oman landed just before 5am, several hours after its scheduled midnight arrival.

The flight, which was carrying around 194 people, was chartered to bring vulnerable Irish citizens home amid escalating scenes of hostilities between Israel, the United States and Iran.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said it had been a challenging journey.

“I am pleased to confirm the arrival into Dublin of a chartered repatriation flight from Oman. I want to welcome home all those who travelled on the flight we have chartered to assist those stranded in the Gulf region,” she said.

“I know their return will be an enormous relief for themselves and for their families and friends.

“It was a challenging journey, in particular for those who travelled over land to Muscat, but I am glad that we have been able to directly facilitate the return of nearly 200 people, including a number of children and infants.”