Two repatriation flights organised by TUI Group brought 250 stranded tourists from the United Arab Emirates to Hannover Airport on Saturday. The passengers were on board two aircraft and came from several European countries These countries are the Netherlands, Sweden, France, Poland and the United Kingdom. The number of Dutch nationals among them has not yet been confirmed.
According to the German travel company, the tour operator organised its first repatriation flights using its own aircraft. The planes departed from an airport in Abu Dhabi and flew to Hanover with a stopover in Heraklion, Greece.
Sebastian Ebel said the flights brought relief and joy to many travellers. “Coming from such a region and feeling European security again is a wonderful thing,” he said.
Many travellers have been stranded since last weekend after Israel and the United States carried out air and missile strikes on Iran. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks, prompting the closure of large parts of Middle Eastern airspace.
Stranded travellers in the Middle east
A spokesperson for the Dutch branch of TUI said on Saturday that it was not yet clear when stranded Dutch travellers in the Middle East and Far East would be able to return. By Sunday morning. There were no further details provided. According to the company, hundreds of Dutch people remain stranded.
TUI said it is working intensively to bring travellers home. “We are trying to get everyone back safely,” the spokesperson said. “However, this is complicated because a return via Dubai is currently not safe.”
The tour operator is therefore seeking alternative flight routes that avoid Dubai, but these routes are limited and often fully booked.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
