The Finnish Foreign Ministry has announced the organization of a charter flight to evacuate Finnish nationals who are stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to the current military escalation in the Middle East.
With airspace restrictions and security risks following the attacks on Iran severely disrupting regular air traffic, the plane is scheduled to depart from Muscat, the capital of Oman, to Helsinki next weekend. Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen emphasized that the decision for this special flight was made on the fifth day of the conflict due to the increasingly difficult security situation, in order to provide a reliable means of departure.
The cost of a seat on this evacuation flight is approximately €2.300 per passenger. According to the Ministry, this high price is primarily due to the dramatically increased insurance premiums for flights in crisis regions, as well as the high operational costs of short-notice charter flights. Participation in the repatriation effort is voluntary, and travelers must bear the costs themselves, in accordance with legal regulations for consular emergencies. Furthermore, those affected are responsible for their own land transport from the Emirates to the departure airport in Oman, which, given border restrictions, presents an additional logistical challenge.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that primary responsibility for repatriation remains with private airlines and tour operators. Discussions are ongoing with the national airline, Finnair, to coordinate capacity and route options. With regular commercial air traffic largely suspended in the region, the government-coordinated flight serves as an additional safety net for those who have no other booking options. Finnish citizens who pre-registered have already been informed of the details and the necessary cost coverage.
In parallel, other European countries are also preparing similar measures, as capacities at remaining hubs like Muscat are exhausted due to high demand. Finnish authorities are closely monitoring the situation at the border with Oman, as there are reports of border crossings being made more difficult for foreigners. The Ministry emphasizes that state-provided evacuation measures within the framework of consular assistance are generally subject to a fee, and reimbursement of expenses by travelers is a legal requirement. A permanent resumption of regular flight operations is not expected until the military situation has de-escalated.