A group of 187 Maltese nationals evacuated from the United Arab Emirates arrived safely in Malta on Saturday morning after the government organised a special charter flight to bring them home amid escalating tensions in the Gulf.
Foreign Minister Ian Borg said in a Facebook post that all those on board the aircraft were Maltese citizens based in the UAE who had requested assistance to leave the country following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran.
The Airbus A330 touched down in Malta to scenes of relief, as relatives gathered at the airport to welcome family members and friends who had been caught up in the unfolding crisis in the region.
The evacuation was deemed necessary after the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states came under attack from Iranian missiles and drones. The strikes were launched in retaliation for air raids carried out by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran. The escalation led to the closure of airspace across parts of the Gulf region, resulting in the cancellation of thousands of commercial flights.
In the days leading up to the evacuation, staff at Malta’s embassy in the UAE, together with officials from the Foreign Ministry in Malta, coordinated efforts to assist Maltese nationals who wished to leave. Preparations were made in advance so that once a suitable flight slot became available, the evacuation could proceed without delay.
The government had earlier announced that it would be covering the cost of the charter flight as part of its efforts to ensure the safe return of Maltese citizens from the affected area.
In a message posted on social media, Malta’s ambassador to the UAE, Maria Camilleri Calleja, confirmed that all Maltese nationals who had contacted the embassy and the Consulate General of Malta in Dubai through emergency channels were included in the evacuation flight.
“All Maltese nationals who contacted the Embassy of Malta in the UAE and the Consulate General of Malta in Dubai on the emergency lines circulated on email and social media and expressed the wish and willingness to depart the UAE arrived safely in Malta on the special repatriation and evacuation flight,” she said.
Camilleri Calleja also expressed gratitude to the UAE authorities and airport staff at Maktoum International Airport for their cooperation in facilitating the operation.
She further acknowledged the support of the European diplomatic network in the country, thanking the European Union delegation and EU ambassadors in the UAE for their close coordination and exchange of information throughout the process.
Despite the evacuation, the Maltese diplomatic mission in the UAE will remain operational to assist any nationals who continue to require support.
“The Embassy of Malta remains available and present in the UAE to continue providing any additional assistance that may be required,” Camilleri Calleja said.