MUSCAT, Oman — The UK government has announced a chartered repatriation flight from Oman to assist British nationals seeking to leave the Middle East amid escalating regional hostilities and widespread air travel disruption.
The flight, the first organised directly by the British government since the outbreak of the current crisis, is scheduled to depart Muscat International Airport at 23:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Wednesday. Authorities say priority will be given to the most vulnerable individuals.
British nationals, along with their spouses or partners and children under 18, will be eligible to travel.
The UK Foreign Office said it would contact eligible individuals directly to allocate seats and urged citizens not to travel to the airport unless officially instructed.
Escalating conflict and airspace disruptions
Commercial aviation across the Middle East has been severely disrupted since US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has since launched retaliatory strikes targeting US military assets across parts of the Gulf, as well as energy and civilian infrastructure.
Several countries have closed or restricted their airspace, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and diversions.
Airlines across the region have rerouted services to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace, creating bottlenecks at major hubs including Dubai and Doha.
With many routes suspended, thousands of British citizens remain stranded across Gulf states and Israel.
Registration and eligibility
In its announcement, the Foreign Office urged British nationals who had previously registered their presence in the UAE but are now in Oman to “urgently” complete an online form if they wish to secure a seat on the charter flight.
Dependants who are not British nationals must hold valid travel documentation, such as a visa or UK leave to remain granted for more than six months, to qualify.
The Foreign Office added it would “continue to work with airlines to find more routes for people to return home.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told MPs on Tuesday that the “safety and security” of British nationals was a “top priority”, signalling that Oman would likely serve as the first evacuation departure point.
According to the government, approximately 130,000 British nationals have enrolled in the “Register Your Presence” programme, which operates in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Frustration among stranded travellers
Some British citizens have told Vivid Voice News that communication around evacuation options has been limited, with confusion over available commercial routes.
While many remain stranded, limited flights from Dubai to the UK have continued operating. British Airways has announced a commercial service from Muscat to London Heathrow, departing at 02:30 local time on Thursday (22:30 GMT Wednesday).
Also Read: ‘You are on your own’: US tells citizens in Israel to arrange their own exit
The UK government is currently advising against all but essential travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Why Oman?
Oman lies across the Gulf of Oman from southern Iran and is geographically further from Tehran than several other Gulf states, approximately 1,900 kilometres (1,200 miles) from the Iranian capital.
Muscat is also relatively accessible from Dubai, about a 280-mile drive, making it a potential evacuation hub for British nationals based in the UAE.
Security analysts say Oman’s traditionally neutral diplomatic posture in regional disputes may also make it a strategically viable location for evacuation logistics.
The repatriation effort underscores the widening regional impact of the US–Israel–Iran confrontation. Beyond direct military exchanges, the conflict has disrupted global aviation routes, energy markets and diplomatic relations.
Further evacuation flights may be arranged depending on demand and evolving security assessments.
