airBaltic Repatriates Latvian Nationals From Middle East Amid Airspace Restrictions

Latvia Repatriates Citizens From Middle East Amid Regional Instability

Riga, Latvia – Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic, successfully completed two repatriation flights from Dubai on Friday, bringing home approximately 290 Latvian citizens as regional tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East. A third flight is scheduled for Saturday, continuing the government’s effort to assist citizens seeking to leave the area. The repatriation operation comes as airspace restrictions and security concerns disrupt commercial travel throughout the region, leaving hundreds of Latvian nationals stranded.

Escalating Concerns Prompt Repatriation Efforts

The Latvian Foreign Ministry estimates that over 800 Latvian citizens were stranded across several Middle Eastern countries following recent U.S.-Israeli strikes and heightened regional instability. The Ministry is coordinating with airBaltic to carry out the repatriation in phases, prioritizing those registered with the Consular Registry. Beyond the UAE, officials are also working with other European Union nations to facilitate the return of citizens currently in Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Flight Disruptions and Airport Changes

AirBaltic had previously announced the cancellation of all regular passenger flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv due to the deteriorating security situation and resulting airspace closures. These cancellations were initially set to last until March 5th, 2026, but have now been extended. Flights to Dubai are cancelled through March 16th, inclusive, and flights to Tel Aviv are suspended until March 28th.

Complicating matters further, the departure airport for the repatriation flights was unexpectedly changed from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport. AirBaltic stated that all passengers affected by the change received a text message with updated instructions, emphasizing the importance of following the provided information closely. This change was implemented to ensure a smoother and more organized departure process.

Flight Details and Passenger Information

The two repatriation flights on Friday, departing at 17:50 and 18:50 local time, each carried 145 passengers. Both flights were fully booked, demonstrating the significant demand for repatriation services. The flights are routed with a technical stop in Heraklion, Greece, before arriving in Riga, with an estimated arrival time of 2:10 AM local time on March 7th.

Latvian citizens registered in the Consular Registry were contacted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with details regarding participation in the flights. Passengers utilizing the repatriation flights are required to pay a co-payment of 350 euros. AirBaltic has explicitly advised individuals not to travel to the airport until they have received individual confirmation of their inclusion on a specific passenger list, aiming to prevent congestion and streamline boarding.

Airspace Restrictions and Regional Impact

The ongoing security situation has led to widespread airspace closures and restrictions across the Middle East. Currently, only limited flight corridors remain operational, primarily over Oman and portions of Saudi Arabia. Departures from airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are particularly restricted, leading to unstable flight schedules and significant disruptions for travelers. airBaltic’s official newsroom provides ongoing updates on the situation and flight cancellations.

How the Repatriation Process Works

The Latvian government’s repatriation process involves several key steps. First, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assesses the number of citizens requiring assistance in affected regions. Then, in cooperation with airBaltic, repatriation flights are organized. Citizens registered in the Consular Registry are prioritized and contacted directly with flight information and instructions. A co-payment is required from passengers to assist cover the costs of the operation. Finally, the Ministry coordinates with EU partners to assist citizens in countries beyond the UAE. The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia allocated 752,000 euros to support the repatriation and evacuation efforts, demonstrating the government’s commitment to assisting its citizens abroad. Bnn-news.com details the financial commitment made by the Latvian government.

Confirmed vs. Unclear

Confirmed: Two airBaltic repatriation flights departed from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on March 6th, 2026, carrying 290 Latvian citizens. A third flight is scheduled for March 7th. AirBaltic has cancelled flights to Dubai through March 16th and to Tel Aviv through March 28th. A co-payment of 350 euros is required for repatriation flights.

Unclear: The total number of Latvian citizens still requiring assistance in the Middle East beyond the initial estimate of 800 remains unclear. The long-term impact of the airspace restrictions on airBaltic’s operations has not been fully assessed. Details regarding the specific arrangements for assisting citizens in Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia were not provided.

The situation remains fluid, and further updates will be provided as they become available. Archyde.com provides additional details on the second repatriation flight.