Irish Citizens Return from Gulf on Government Charter Flights

The second government charter flight assisting Irish citizens in the Gulf region arrived in Dublin on March 11, 2026. The flight originated in Abu Dhabi, carrying 217 passengers, including citizens from other European Union member states who were assisted through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism Etihad Airways.

Assistance for Vulnerable Citizens

The Irish embassy in the United Arab Emirates prioritized assisting vulnerable Irish citizens stranded in the Gulf region. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee expressed gratitude to the UAE authorities for their cooperation in arranging the flight. She confirmed the departure of the flight on social media, stating, “I’m pleased to confirm that the second Government charter flight from Abu Dhabi, assisting Irish citizens in the Gulf region, has departed and will arrive in Dublin this afternoon. Thank you to the UAE authorities for assisting in facilitating this.” @HMcEntee

First Charter Flight and Previous Challenges

A first charter flight arrived in Ireland on Sunday, March 9, 2026, bringing 194 passengers from Oman, with 180 being Irish citizens. That flight experienced delays due to technical issues in Cairo, Egypt, and a challenging situation on the ground in Oman Google Flights.

Flight Details

The shortest flight time between Dublin (DUB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) is approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes Skyscanner. Flights from Dublin to Abu Dhabi can be found for as low as $204 one-way and $430 round trip Expedia.