THERE WERE CELEBRATIONS and relief for a second night in a row at Dublin Airport with the arrival of the second plane from Dubai since conflict broke out in the Middle East.

People who had been working in the United Arab Emirates for several years as well as some holidaymakers were among the hundreds who landed home this evening.

Dubai has been hit by missiles amid the escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran, including explosions at the city’s airport and the Fairmont Hotel, and it has also been impacted by widespread airspace closures in the Middle East.

Last night’s flight of almost 400 people was the first commercial flight from Dubai to Ireland since the war began on Saturday.

The Journal spoke with those who arrived last night, as well as their worried loved ones waiting at the airport.

This evening, there were more joyful reunions. 

Dymphna Mackin walked through arrivals to hugs from family waiting to see her. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Dympna Mackin, from Mayobridge, Co Down, who had been in Dubai with her husband to celebrate her 40th birthday, walked through arrivals to hugs from family waiting to see her.

“Unbelievable. I’d missed the children so much. I’m shaking, it’s good to be home,” she said.

“We arrived in Dubai last Thursday, we were due home on Monday, this was the third flight that we’d tried to get home.

“We were in Dubai for my 40th birthday… I don’t want to get into it because it was traumatising.”

Colette Cummins, from Malahide, who had been visiting family in Dubai, was hugged by work colleagues as she came through arrivals.

Nora Cummins and her mother Colette at Dublin Airport. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“I’m so happy to be home. We were supposed to come on Tuesday, but the flight was cancelled,” she said.

“It’s great to be home, my sister is not so lucky, she is still there.

“Scary at the beginning. It had eased off but back again today because we got news on the flight of alerts that missiles were coming in again. The situation is escalating again.”

Megan O’Riordan, from Co Meath, who has worked in software sales in Dubai for three years, was greeted by her father Michael.

“Daily life is normal, everyone is still working, we’re just working remotely and school is happening at home. The only difference is the missiles and interceptions – when you see those, it is a little bit scary,” she said.

“Other than that, nothing else has changed, life goes on as normal over there. The government have been really good, the embassy has been really good.”

Megan O'Riordan, who has been living in Dubai for the past three years as a teacher, and her dad Micheal. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

There are an estimated 24,400 Irish citizens in the Gulf region, including around 12,000 in the UAE alone.

There will be further direct flights from the Middle East landing in Dublin tomorrow, including a government charter flight from Oman which is expected to transport around 280 passengers.

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Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee has expressed hope that hundreds, if not more than 1,000, will arrive in Dublin before the end of the week.

She has also defended the €800 cost of tickets for the government charter jet. 

Jakub Kuba Sieniawska is greeted him by his wife Kasia Sieniawska and their 1-year-old son Kyle, as he arrives at Dublin Airport. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

She said today that the price is “in line with any other type of scenario like this”, and is “less than half of the cost of the overall flight per person”.

She added that children under 16 will fly for free and transport from the UAE to Muscat in Oman, where the flight will depart from, will also be free.

But, she said: “The cost will never be a reason why somebody cannot get home in this instance, and if people have an issue or concern, the consular team are dealing and engaging with them directly.”

The consular office, which was set up to help Irish people caught up in the conflict, has had 2,300 contacts since the weekend, she said, but added some of those are “duplicate” calls.

McEntee said the consular team have been getting in touch with those deemed “most at risk”, those with young children at home and those in transit to offer them places on the flight.

Up to “half of those contacted” about travelling on the charter flight have “decided to wait and see whether or not they can get a commercial flight home”, she said. 

The Minister said that was understandable given it “is a lengthier journey to Oman”.

Speaking about the first commercial flight that landed in Dublin on Wednesday night, McEntee said it was her “understanding” that around 80% of the passengers were Irish.