Dublin: The second chartered evacuation flight arranged by the Irish government from Abu Dhabi has arrived at Dublin Airport, carrying Irish citizens and other European Union nationals stranded due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The flight also included several passengers who had travelled from India and were unable to continue their journey after being stranded in Abu Dhabi.
Defence Minister Helen McEntee said the aircraft departed Abu Dhabi shortly after a drone incident at Dubai International Airport on Tuesday morning, in which four people were reportedly injured.
The minister said the government is continuing efforts to assist Irish citizens across the Gulf region and advised those needing help to contact the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Crisis Team. +3531408200.
€800 Charge for Rescue Flights Sparks Debate
Meanwhile, the government has confirmed that passengers on the chartered evacuation flights are required to pay €800 per person to travel from the Gulf to Dublin. The fee has sparked debate on social media and in some political circles.
Government sources said arranging emergency charter flights is extremely costly and that the state is covering a large portion of the expense, with passengers contributing only part of the cost.
Under the arrangement, passengers aged over 16 must pay €800, while children under 16 can travel free of charge, a measure the government says is designed to support families returning home.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said priority on these flights is being given to elderly passengers, people with medical conditions and families with children.
Officials also noted that charging passengers a partial cost for emergency evacuation flights is standard practice in many countries.
Travel Disruptions Continue
Security concerns in the Middle East and the cancellation of commercial flights have left many Irish citizens unable to return home through normal travel routes, prompting the government to organise special charter services.
In addition, hundreds of people who travelled to India earlier this year are currently stranded there and unable to return to Ireland due to the ongoing aviation disruptions.
Airfares for alternative routes that avoid the Gulf region have surged dramatically, with some tickets reportedly costing between €4,000 and €8,000.
Some airlines, including Emirates, have allowed passengers to reschedule previously booked tickets, enabling a number of travellers to reach Dublin.
Officials at the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi are also exploring the possibility of arranging a charter flight from New Delhi or Mumbai to Dublin, which could be organised as early as next week if plans proceed.
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