Repatriation Flights Bring Over 160 Finns Home from Middle East
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport welcomed a repatriation flight early Monday morning, March 9, 2026, bringing over 160 Finnish citizens and permanent residents home from the Middle East. The flight, organized by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, departed from Muscat, Oman, with a stopover in Alexandria, Egypt, before arriving in Helsinki at approximately 2:41 am local time.
Flight Details and Passenger Demographics
The repatriation flight originated in Muscat, Oman, after passengers were transported by bus from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the flight carried a little over 160 passengers, including 70 children. Approximately 350 individuals had initially registered for the flight, but priority was given to those in vulnerable situations, such as families with children.
Disruptions and Assistance for Stranded Travelers
The need for repatriation flights arose due to disruptions in air travel in the Middle East, leading to the cancellation of regular scheduled flights. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated it will continue to assess the need for further repatriation flights and advises travelers to seek commercial flight options whenever possible.
Finnair’s Additional Flights
Finnair is also arranging additional flights to assist customers stranded in Dubai. As of Friday, March 7, 2026, approximately 1,200 Finnair customers remained in Dubai. The first flight, scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, will accommodate around 300 passengers, prioritizing vulnerable individuals like children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Additional flights are planned for later in the week, contingent on the safety of Omani airspace.
Repatriation Assistance from Other Countries
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has informed Finns who submitted travel declarations that they may be eligible for repatriation flights organized by other countries, including Sweden. A Swedish Foreign Ministry repatriation flight arriving at Arlanda Airport early Monday morning carried almost 180 Swedish citizens and a small number of Finns, according to Sveriges Radio.
TUI Airways Evacuation Flights
Travel agency TUI also conducted two evacuation flights from Abu Dhabi, carrying 18 Nordic customers, six of whom were Finnish citizens. Passengers were transported onward to Finland via Hannover, Germany, according to TUI.
Traveler Resources
Travelers in the region are encouraged to submit or update their travel notifications with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. A consular mission has been deployed to the Persian Gulf region, initially focusing on the United Arab Emirates, to provide counseling and assistance to Finnish nationals. The estimated cost of the repatriation journey is approximately EUR 1,230 per passenger, reflecting the return portion of the flight only.