A repatriation flight will travel out from Muscat in Oman “in the coming days,” according to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Air travel in the region has been severely disrupted since Saturday (February 28), with thousands of flights cancelled.
US and Israeli forces attacked Iran on Saturday morning in what the two countries described as a “pre-emptive” strike against a Tehran government intent on developing nuclear weapons.
This prompted retaliation from Iran, with missiles hitting countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Israel.
Ms Cooper said 130,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East.
A small number of commercial flights have already brought Britons back, but the vast majority have been cancelled due to airspace closures.
When will the Oman rescue flight depart?
Speaking with MPs, Ms Cooper said that the repatriation flight will depart in the next few days.
She said: “We are also working with airlines on increasing capacity out of Muscat for British nationals, with priority for vulnerable nationals, and a government charter flight will fly from Muscat in the coming days, prioritising vulnerable nationals, but British nationals in Oman must wait to be contacted by the foreign office regarding these options, and we will continue to work 24/7 on supporting British nationals in the region.
“I would tell the House, this is a very fast-moving situation.
We are working around the clock to support British nationals in the Middle East.
That includes FCDO Rapid Deployment Teams in Muscat and Riyadh and chartering a flight from Muscat in the coming days.
British nationals in Oman should wait to be contacted by the FCDO… pic.twitter.com/kpmN0EmBmT
— Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) March 3, 2026
“We have unprecedented numbers of British nationals in the region, and I will continue to update members and affected British nationals as the situation evolves.”
Muscat is Oman’s capital, which can be reached by car from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi in journeys of about 300 miles.
British Airways has announced that it will operate one flight from Muscat to London Heathrow on Thursday (March 5) at 2.30am local time.
Oman Air has also continued to operate its two return flights per day between Muscat and London Heathrow.
What is the government’s advice on flying to the Middle East?
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
They also advise British nationals in the Middle East to register their presence on the government website here.
This applies to Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
In a statement, they added: “You should continue to follow our travel advice for the country you are in and the advice of the local authorities.”
It is recommended for Britons to keep their departure plans under review and ensure their travel documents are up to date.
