"Preparations are being made to return citizens from the Persian Gulf"/ The German government will send planes to the Middle East

2026-03-03 12:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

"Preparations are being made to return citizens from the Persian

The escalation in the Middle East is also affecting tens of thousands of travelers from Germany. With several airports damaged after Iranian attacks and airspace partially closed, they are stranded.

The government in Berlin is preparing to send planes to the Middle East to bring back German tourists and travelers stranded there. The chartered planes will be sent to Muscat in Oman and the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said. In these countries, airports are still open. Security is the priority for sending the planes.

The minister noted that he had spoken to Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr and that the airline has the capacity. "We want to help Germans return home," Wadephul said. However, the conditions must be considered on a case-by-case basis. We are in a major crisis, which has affected many Germans. In addition to Lufthansa, the ministry is also in contact with the tourism group TUI and the German Travel Association.

First of all, the sick and children

Priority in the return operation will be given to vulnerable people such as children, the sick and pregnant women. The government can launch private planes with tax money and as a last resort, military planes can also be used. Details will be clarified. It is still open how many planes can arrive in each country, from where the flights can be carried out.

The Foreign Ministry estimates that there are around 30,000 German citizens stranded in the Gulf countries. They are stranded due to airspace closures or cruise ships that are unable to leave the area.

Special flights from the United Arab Emirates

In the United Arab Emirates, air traffic will open at least for special flights. The largest international company based in Dubai, Emirates, announced that a limited number of flights will start in the evening.

Abu Dhabi's Etihad also announced that it will resume flights on Monday (02.03.2026) "strictly respecting safety data" to return stranded passengers. While commercial flights remain suspended.

The German travel agency association DRV says around 30,000 travellers have been affected. According to the figures, they are either already in the region or have booked flights through hubs there. As soon as airspace reopens, tour operators will inform those affected about their return options. /DW