First wave of Europeans stranded by Iran conflict return home

Published: March 3, 2026 . The English Chronicle Desk . The English Chronicle Online

A limited but much-anticipated repatriation of European travellers and expatriates stranded by the escalating conflict in the Middle East has begun, with the first flights and coordinated government efforts bringing home citizens from Gulf states and surrounding areas after weeks of travel chaos and airspace closures. However, officials across the European Union emphasise that hundreds of thousands remain stuck in the region as disruptions to flights persist and authorities work to scale up evacuation operations.

European governments have launched targeted repatriation flights and diplomatic initiatives to extract their nationals from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia — crucial hubs that have been impacted by the ongoing U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes across the Gulf. Among those returning home are citizens from the United Kingdom, Italy, Poland and others, marking the first meaningful progress in the effort to extract large numbers of citizens who were left stranded after major airlines suspended services and regional airspace was closed.

Germany’s tourism companies and airlines have begun cooperating on flights to bring back thousands of tourists whose travel plans were upended by the conflict; for instance, operators such as TUI are arranging return services from the Middle East in partnership with carriers like Emirates and Etihad, particularly for German holidaymakers. At the same time, countries such as Poland have already seen their first nationals come home after being stuck abroad when the crisis exploded.

Despite these early returns, European authorities acknowledge the scale of the challenge remains unprecedented. Major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha — typically among the busiest international hubs connecting Europe to Asia and Africa — were closed for several days following missile and drone strikes tied to the Iran conflict, leaving tens of thousands of passengers without immediate travel options. Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of European travellers, residents and long-term expatriates remain trapped or unable to depart as a result of cancelled flights and restricted airspace.

The European Commission and national governments are reported to be exploring a coordinated repatriation strategy similar in scale to efforts seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, when hundreds of thousands of citizens were evacuated by air and sea. Officials are discussing the allocation of funds and logistical support to subsidise travel costs and chartered flights for those currently stranded.

France, for example, has mobilised its diplomatic network to assist roughly 400,000 French nationals and residents who were in the Middle East when hostilities intensified, including significant communities in the Gulf region and Israel. French consular services have activated hotlines, protective accommodation measures and repatriation assistance as part of their response.

The ongoing situation has prompted public concern and calls for clearer guidance. In the United Kingdom, the Foreign Office reported that over 100,000 British nationals are registered as being in the affected region, with total figures for UK citizens estimated in the hundreds of thousands; many remain in hotel rooms, airport terminals or alternative shelters due to persistent flight cancellations.

Logistical obstacles continue to hinder large-scale evacuations. Regional governments and airlines are gradually reopening limited services as security conditions permit, but not at levels sufficient to meet demand. Some European states are considering overland routes and staging hubs in Egypt, Jordan and Oman to move citizens toward safer transit points for onward flights.

The effort underscores the wider humanitarian and practical fallout of the Iran conflict, which has transformed travel networks, disrupted global flight paths and placed extraordinary pressure on consular services. With no immediate end to hostilities in sight, Europe’s repatriation mission is likely to remain a significant diplomatic and logistical priority in the coming weeks.

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