Belgium organises evacuation for tourists stranded in UAE

Belgium has launched a coordinated repatriation effort to assist tourists stranded in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring Gulf states following widespread flight cancellations and regional airspace disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.

Indirect repatriation via safer hubs

Due to aviation restrictions, Brussels has ruled out direct evacuation flights from the UAE. Instead, Belgian authorities are organising overland transfers from cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Muscat in Oman, where commercial air connections remain operational.

From Qatar, stranded Belgians are expected to travel by bus to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia before arranging onward flights home.

The government’s strategy is to move citizens out of affected airspace into “safe countries” from which regular commercial services can resume. Travellers are strongly encouraged to book and pay for their own return flights once they reach these transit hubs.

Military and logistical support

Belgium has mobilised Defence assets to support the operation, including A400M and A330MRTT transport aircraft for specific legs of the evacuation process. However, these flights are not designed to provide direct repatriation to Belgium from the UAE itself. Instead, military assistance focuses on facilitating transfers to airports with stable international connections.

Cost-sharing and registration

Under Belgian consular rules, evacuees may be required to cover part of the transport costs, including bus transfers and certain flight segments. This cost-sharing approach has prompted frustration among some stranded travellers.

Authorities are urging all affected Belgians to register via the official Travellers Online platform so consular services can coordinate logistics and prioritise temporary visitors over long-term residents.

Priority for tourists

The operation currently prioritises short-term visitors and tourists rather than Belgian residents permanently based in the region. Officials describe the situation as fluid and operationally complex, with further adjustments possible depending on security developments and airspace conditions.

In essence, Belgium’s response combines government-facilitated overland evacuation with commercially arranged flights home, reflecting the constraints imposed by ongoing instability in the region.

Here are the specifics available so far on the air transport component of Belgium’s repatriation plan for tourists and other nationals stranded because of the Middle East conflict (situation as of 4 March 2026):

Aircraft being mobilised

Belgium’s Defence Ministry has deployed military transport aircraft to support the operation:

• Two Airbus A400M tactical transport planes — each with a capacity for around 100 passengers.

• One Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) — with capacity for about 250 passengers.

These aircraft are being positioned in the region to assist with moving evacuees once they reach safe departure points. The costs of using these military flights will be charged back to travellers in line with Belgian consular law.

Planned flight routes

Because airspace over the United Arab Emirates and Qatar remains closed or restricted, the evacuation plan does not currently include direct Belgium-bound flights out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha. Instead:

• Muscat (Oman) — Bus transfers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi will take registered Belgian travellers here as a key hub starting from Friday (if security conditions allow). From Muscat, evacuees may take military transport or commercial flights onward.

• Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) — Belgians stranded in Qatar are scheduled to be bused to Riyadh from Doha, where commercial flights can be booked to Belgium.

• Hurghada (Egypt) — Some evacuees transported via Muscat may be flown by military aircraft to Hurghada. From Hurghada, travellers are generally expected to organise commercial flights for their journey home.

Use of third-party assistance

The first groups of Belgians are already returning through allied assistance before the Belgian airlift fully commences:

• A small group of compatriots in Oman flew home on a Dutch flight that landed at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

• A larger group is set to depart from Oman to Belgium with help from Luxembourg’s evacuation effort later today.

Departure and arrival airports

So far, the departure airports relevant to the repatriation plan are:

• Muscat International Airport (MCT), Oman — primary gathering hub after overland transfer from the UAE.

• King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — transit for Qatar evacuees.

• Hurghada International Airport (HRG), Egypt — possible intermediate point before commercial flights home.

The arrival airport in Belgium for military or allied repatriation flights has not been specifically confirmed in government statements, but typical destinations would include major international airports such as Brussels Airport or others in Belgium or neighbouring EU states, depending on coordinating partners (as seen with Dutch and Luxembourg assistance).

Timing & conditions

Officials emphasise that actual evacuation flights are dependent on safe airspace access and ground transport logistics, and direct flights out of the conflict zone may not start until later in the week once conditions permit.