Statement by Minister McEntee on the arrival of chartered repatriation flight into Dublin
- Published on: 8 March 2026
- Last updated on: 8 March 2026
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.
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.
I welcome the fact that flights from Dubai have returned some 1500 people in recent days. I would encourage all those still in the UAE and who want to leave to avail of commercial options where those are available.
The last week has been incredibly distressing for our citizens in the Gulf.
The situation remains volatile, with further attacks on the UAE and other Gulf countries today, and on Iran.
I would ask any Irish citizens in the Gulf to register their presence in order to give my Department the clearest information possible of the situation on the ground. More than 18,000 people have done so since last weekend.
Any citizen in the Gulf seeking assistance is encouraged to call the Consular Crisis Team in Dublin directly.
Note for editors:
A chartered flight from Oman, via Cairo, arrived in Dublin tonight carrying 189 passengers.
Several hundred calls were made directly to citizens this week, starting with those who had flagged a vulnerability to the Department’s Consular Crisis Team, to identify and confirm those who would travel to Oman to take this flight.
Officials confirmed arrangements with over 280 citizens who were due to avail of this assisted departure by Thursday night. A smaller number, c. 180 citizens, then checked in for the journey by land on Friday morning.
Some spaces were then availed of by others in Muscat in need of return to Ireland.
ENDS
Press Office
8 March 2026