Tour operator Schauinsland-Reisen has launched a large-scale repatriation operation for its holidaymakers in several long-haul destinations. This comes in response to escalating geopolitical tensions and military activity in the Middle East, which have led to massive disruptions in international air traffic since the beginning of March 2026. The first special flights from the United Arab Emirates landed at Frankfurt and Munich airports on Tuesday. The operation is being carried out under intense time pressure, as short-notice airspace closures over Iran and parts of the Arabian Peninsula are blocking conventional flight routes, necessitating the coordination of alternative corridors.
In close cooperation with Discover Airlines, the tour operator has scheduled the evacuation of all guests from the Maldives and Sri Lanka for Thursday, March 5, 2026. Return flights for holidaymakers in Mauritius are also guaranteed for March 6. The logistical challenge lies in providing sufficient charter capacity, as other major European tour operators are simultaneously attempting to evacuate their customers from the affected region. Coordination is being handled by the crisis management team at the Duisburg headquarters, which is in constant contact with local tour operators and the respective embassies.
The situation is particularly complex for holidaymakers in Thailand, especially in Phuket, as well as for guests in Oman. Firm flight schedules are still being developed, as the dynamic security situation and the necessary overflight permits make short-notice coordination difficult. Industry analyses indicate that such large-scale repatriation efforts have enormous financial repercussions for the travel industry, as the costs for special charter flights far exceed regular ticket prices. Schauinsland-Reisen is using all available communication channels to inform travelers about changed departure times and meeting points at the airports.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry and the German Foreign Office have tightened their travel warnings for the affected regions, providing the legal basis for the extraordinary cancellations of travel contracts. While evacuations from the Emirates are largely complete, repatriation from Asia remains the top priority for the coming days due to the longer flight routes and the difficulty of circumventing restricted airspace. The tour operator emphasizes that passenger safety is the absolute priority in all planning and that repatriation efforts will continue until all affected customers have returned to Europe.