Latvia Organizes Repatriation Flights from Middle East Amidst Rising Tensions

As security concerns escalate in the Middle East, Latvia has initiated a series of repatriation flights to bring its citizens home. The effort, coordinated by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, utilizes airBaltic to evacuate Latvian nationals from the region, with a particular focus on those in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Repatriation Efforts Underway

The Latvian government has allocated up to €752,000 to fund these repatriation flights, with each flight costing approximately €150,000. Passengers will contribute a co-payment of €350 towards their travel expenses. According to an announcement, the price charged by airBaltic to the state reflects the actual costs incurred.

The initial flight, BT7701, departed from Dubai International Airport (DXB) on March 6, 2026, at 17:50 local time. The flight included a technical stop in Heraklion, Greece, before arriving in Riga on March 7, 2026, at 02:10 local time, carrying 145 passengers. Two additional flights operated by airBaltic departed from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on Friday, March 6, 2026, carrying several hundred Latvian nationals. A third flight from Dubai is scheduled to depart on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Prioritizing Vulnerable Citizens

Repatriation efforts prioritize vulnerable individuals, including families with children, minors, and those with health or mobility limitations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also prepared to facilitate the evacuation of Latvian nationals from the UAE via land transport to neighboring countries if necessary.

Regional Airspace Restrictions and Ongoing Support

The repatriation operation is complicated by significant restrictions on airspace in the Middle East. Large portions of airspace remain closed or heavily restricted, with limited flight corridors available, primarily over Oman and parts of Saudi Arabia. AirBaltic has suspended regular passenger flights to Dubai until March 16, 2026, and to Tel Aviv until March 28, 2026, due to the ongoing security situation.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry estimates that over 800 Latvian nationals are currently stranded in various Middle Eastern countries following recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The ministry is collaborating with other European Union countries to assist Latvians in Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Current Situation in the UAE

As of March 4, 2026, airspace remained closed in Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Iran, and Iraq. Reports indicate that debris from a downed drone caused a significant fire at the Fujairah oil hub in the UAE.