Repatriation flights from Oman and Egypt are on the way for stranded Dutch travellers, with a noon registration deadline.
The Dutch government is ramping up efforts to bring stranded nationals home from the Middle East, with KLM and TUI flights scheduled out of Muscat, Oman, and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in the coming days.
According to RTL Nieuws, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen (CDA) informed the House of Representatives that the ambition is to operate even more flights going forward.
Further details could potentially be announced later today.
Who can get on board?
Eligibility covers residents of both the Netherlands and the Caribbean territories of the Kingdom.
You’ll also need to have registered via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Crisis Contact Form — and time is running out: the registration window closes at noon today (March 6).
The ministry also stresses that ringing airlines directly to ask about these flights is not the way to go, as they will be unable to help you.
Getting to the airport
For some travellers, the logistics go beyond just boarding a plane. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged cross-border transport to get affected Dutch nationals to their departure airports.
READ MORE | First Dutch evacuees return safely, as KLM repatriation flight touches down at Schiphol
One thing to budget for: the flights come at a cost of €600 per traveller.
More flights to come
This is the second wave of repatriation efforts from the Dutch government.
The first KLM flight from Muscat touched down at Schiphol earlier this week, after the Netherlands initially ruled out repatriation due to safety risks and a closed airspace.
Berendsen signalled that more flights are planned as conditions allow, with the safety of passengers remaining a top priority.
Here’s hoping all travellers can return home soon.
Are you or someone you know trying to get back to the Netherlands from the Middle East? Share your experience in the comments below.
