Australians Stranded in Middle East: Flights Resume Amid Safety Concerns

Commercial flights are bringing Australians home from the Middle East, but many seats remain empty due to last-minute airline confirmations and ongoing safety concerns. Despite the challenges, efforts are underway to repatriate citizens as the situation in the region remains volatile.

Current Situation and Repatriation Efforts

As of March 6, 2026, several flights carrying Australians have arrived in Sydney and Melbourne, with more scheduled to depart from the Middle East. Over 440 Australians have returned on flights arriving Thursday night and Friday morning 9News. A flight from Abu Dhabi landed in Sydney around 9:30 am on Friday. Emirates is expected to operate another four flights from Dubai in the next 24 hours, whereas Etihad and Qatar Airways have tentatively scheduled flights that may be affected by airspace closures.

The flights landing in Australia have not been full, as passengers are receiving limited notice from airlines and some are hesitant to fly due to safety concerns SBS News. The first commercial flight to leave the region since the recent conflict began arrived late Wednesday.

Government Response and Military Assets

The Australian government is working with the United Arab Emirates to facilitate the safe return of its citizens. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the priority is to receive Australians home safely SBS News. While the Opposition has called for dedicated repatriation flights, Burke emphasized that utilizing regular commercial flights is the most effective approach, given that over 100,000 Australians are stranded in the region.

In response to the crisis, the government has deployed military assets, including a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster heavy transport aircraft and a KC-30A multi-role tanker transport, as a precautionary measure SBS News. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the deployment of these “military assets” news.com.au.

Scale of the Crisis

Approximately 24,000 Australians are currently in the UAE, including travelers and residents, while around 115,000 are spread throughout the broader Middle East Pedestrian TV. Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the situation as a “consular crisis” that surpasses any Australia has previously faced in terms of the number of people affected Pedestrian TV.

Travel Industry Advice

Dean Long, chief executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association, stated that the aviation sector is adapting to the situation, with Etihad, Emirates, and some Asian carriers continuing to operate. He assured travelers that the industry will not put passengers in unsafe situations SBS News. Long urged Australians planning to travel in the coming weeks and months not to cancel their flights.