Emirates Resumes Flights to Dublin Amidst Middle East Airspace Closures
Emirates has resumed flights between Dubai and Dublin, offering a lifeline to Irish citizens stranded in the Middle East following widespread airspace closures. The resumption of services comes as tensions in the region prompted significant disruption to air travel.
Flight Operations Resume
A flight carrying approximately 400 passengers departed Dubai for Dublin on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, marking the first direct flight between the two cities since Saturday, March 1, 2026 . The flight is scheduled to land at approximately 10:00 PM local time in Dublin . A second Emirates flight with another 400 passengers is planned for Thursday, March 5, 2026 .
Government Assistance and Repatriation Efforts
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee announced the positive development, stating that the department is in close contact with Emirates to ensure passengers whose flights were cancelled are accommodated . The Irish government is also chartering a flight from Oman to Dublin, expected to carry around 280 people, prioritizing vulnerable citizens, particularly non-residents , .
Charter Flight Details
Passengers on the chartered flight from Oman will be required to pay a fee of €800 each, applicable to those aged 16 and over . The government will cover some of the flight costs and assistance will be provided to those in significant financial difficulty . Passengers will undertake a six- to eight-hour bus journey to Oman before boarding the flight to Dublin .
Ongoing Support and Regional Situation
Minister McEntee emphasized the government’s commitment to providing consular assistance to all Irish citizens in the region and urged those remaining to seek shelter and utilize available flight options . Approximately 25,000 Irish citizens in the Middle East have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs, with around 2,000 expressing a desire to return home . The airspace closures were triggered by the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel .
Minister McEntee indicated that Taoiseach Micheál Martin will advocate for de-escalation and a return to negotiations during his upcoming visit to the White House .