How will Belgians be evacuated from the Middle East?

'The Belgian defence ministry will transport you to a safe neighbouring country in the Middle East at a “reasonable” price. From there, you will have to make your own way back to Belgium'.

Due to the closure of airspace over large parts of the Middle East, many Belgians are unable to return of their own accord. More than 2,500 stranded travellers have already registered via Travellers Online.

The repatriation operation is aimed exclusively at this group of Belgians. Belgians who live in the region permanently and have their own homes there are not eligible.

‘Every effort is being made to organise their return in the best possible conditions,’ the press release states. ‘At the same time, it is important to be honest: not only is the security situation extremely unstable, but it is also impossible to bring everyone back at the same time.’

What are the numbers?

So far, more than 400 Belgians have registered for repatriation from the Gulf States, where they are stranded due to the war in the Middle East the Belgian foreign ministry says.

Currently, 374 Belgians have registered for repatriation by bus from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. In Qatar, there are currently 36 Belgian nationals waiting for repatriation.

How is repatriation being organised?

The situation is most critical in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Repatriation operations will start here first.

Because the airspace above these two countries is closed, travellers will first be transported to a neighbouring country whose airspace is open and safe by road.

Various scenarios are being worked out for travellers in the United Arab Emirates. One of the options is to deploy buses to a neighbouring country, from where military flights could take place.

Here too, there is the possibility that they will have to organise their own return journey to Belgium. Travellers will be informed as soon as it is clear which scenarios can actually go ahead.

For travellers in the United Arab Emirates (which includes Dubai and Abu Dhabi), buses will be used to transport them to Muscat, in Oman, followed by air transport to Hurghada, in Egypt. The first bus transport from the United Arab Emirates to Oman is planned for Friday at a time yet to be determined.

The repatriated Belgians may then be able to take a military flight to Belgium, although they are also encouraged to arrange their own return flight.

Cooperation with neighbouring countries is also taking place. Five Belgians were able to return Tuesday evening on a Dutch flight from Oman. Around thirty other Belgians will be able to return Wednesday  evening with the help of Luxembourg, also on a flight from Oman.

From Qatar, buses will be deployed to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, where commercial flights may be available. From there, travellers will have to contact an airline of their choice themselves to arrange their return flight to Belgium, if possible.

Various scenarios are being worked out for travellers in the United Arab Emirates. One of the options is to deploy buses to a neighbouring country, from where military flights could take place.

Here too, there is the possibility that they will have to organise their own return journey to Belgium. Travellers will be informed as soon as it is clear which scenarios can actually go ahead.

Why are there no direct flights to Belgium?

‘This decision has been carefully considered,’ according to the press release. ‘A direct flight to Belgium would take much longer per rotation, which would mean that significantly fewer people could be brought to safety quickly. By bringing travellers to a safe country nearby, the defence ministry can help more compatriots in less time.’

‘We realise that everyone would prefer to be repatriated directly to Brussels, but in the current situation of armed conflict, the primary goal is to bring as many people as possible to safety – and therefore to maximise their evacuation from the countries where the bombs are falling.’

What resources are being deployed?

The defence ministry is providing three aircraft: two A400M transport aircraft with a capacity of approximately 100 passengers per aircraft, and one Airbus A330 MRTT with approximately 250 seats.

What will happen in the coming hours?

‘The Belgian embassies in the region will contact registered Belgians to ask if they wish to be repatriated. Based on the responses received, the foreign ministry will organise the operations and determine an order of priority.’  

‘In accordance with Belgian consular legislation, the costs of military transport will be charged to travellers in a reasonable manner. They will be informed of this in advance.’

The government emphasises that, as soon as the airspace reopens, travellers should by preference take a commercial flight of their own accord. Belgium will not charter any commercial flights.