South Africans return home as Mid-East conflict escalates

FOLLOWING the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s (Dirco) plea for all South African citizens to evacuate the Middle East, many have begun returning home as limited flights resume following regional airspace closures.

- MANYANE MANYANE

Major carriers such as Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) are resuming operations, with flights expected to return to 100% capacity soon.

Airspaces across the Gulf region were closed due to regional instability caused by US-Israel strikes on Iran and retaliatory drone and missile attacks.

Dirco has asked South African citizens to take “immediate advantage” of limited commercial flights to return home, as intense fighting is expected to continue.

At least 150 South Africans, many of whom were on pilgrimage in Jerusalem, have already been repatriated via African carriers such as EgyptAir.

Hundreds of citizens stranded in Dubai began returning this weekend after the UAE partially reopened its airspace. Emirates has reportedly resumed three daily flights to South Africa.