Estonia Completes Evacuation Flights from Middle East
In the early hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026, the first two evacuation flights carrying Estonian tourists from Oman and Dubai landed at Tallinn Airport. A Heston Airlines Airbus A320 arrived with 180 passengers, while an AirBaltic Airbus A220 brought another 140 people. A third flight organized by Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) landed in Riga.
Priority Given to Families and Those with Health Concerns
According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, priority on these flights was given to families with three or more children and travelers with health concerns . The MFA is coordinating flights with FlyDubai, AirBaltic, and Heston Airlines. Passengers arriving in Riga will be transported to Estonia by bus.
Additional Flights and Registration Requirements
Bookings opened on Friday for several additional evacuation flights from the region. As of Friday evening, the Heston flight departing Dubai on Sunday was fully booked. “This evening, one AirBaltic flight will depart from Dubai to Tallinn and one FlyDubai flight to Riga,” Tsahkna said on Saturday, adding that the FlyDubai flight to Riga and a Heston flight to Tallinn are scheduled for Sunday.
Travelers were required to have registered their short-term stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the MFA’s Reisi Targalt (Travel Smart) website to qualify for evacuation assistance.
Situation Remains Dynamic
With regular commercial flights gradually resuming, no additional evacuation flights are currently planned, the minister said. However, he added that the situation in the UAE is dynamic and plans may be adjusted if necessary.
Assistance for Citizens in Other Countries
Estonia is also assisting citizens in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait, along with family members with Estonian residence permits, on an individual basis.
Monitoring Regional Threats and Potential Disruptions
The MFA is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East, particularly in light of renewed drone and missile threats in Iran. Kerli Veski, the MFA’s deputy secretary general for legal and consular affairs, stated, “We may have everything prepared, but it’s clear that today’s and tomorrow’s flights could still be delayed.”
If Dubai air traffic faces further disruptions, the ministry will consider rerouting passengers through Muscat, as was done with the first evacuation flight, though this option involves a lengthy bus ride to an already busy airport.
Ongoing Updates and Assistance
Estonian citizens in the Middle East are encouraged to register their stay with the MFA for the latest updates and assistance regarding evacuation flights. Click here for the ministry’s latest updates.