Uzbekistan Continues Organized Repatriation of Citizens from Middle Eastern Countries

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan continues to repatriate its citizens in an organized manner amid the closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries due to ongoing military operations.

According to the Ministry of Transport, as of 10:00 on 7 March, 63 flights from the airports of Medina and Jeddah have returned 13,543 Uzbek citizens, while 9 flights from Dubai transported 1,401 people. Foreign carriers Fly Nas and Fly Dubai conducted a total of 8 flights, bringing back 1,365 passengers, including 990 Uzbek nationals.

The Agency “Uzaviatsiya” and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs operate 24/7 command centers and call lines to coordinate the evacuation. Efforts are ongoing to evacuate citizens from Qatar via Riyadh Airport in Saudi Arabia. Nearly 95% of repatriated citizens had traveled under tourist packages.

The Ministry emphasized that some tour operators and agents have failed to fulfill obligations, lost contact with clients, and circulated unverified information on social media, leaving passengers dependent on embassies and consulates. Insurance policies for force majeure events should cover accommodation, transport, and evacuation expenses, requiring systematic organization by tour operators.

Transport authorities urged operators and agents to fully protect citizens’ rights, adhere to contract terms, maintain contact with clients, and coordinate with the government to ensure safe transportation, including rebooking tickets on available flights. Domestic and foreign airlines were reminded to follow international transport regulations, current air service agreements, and effectively utilize insurance policies, avoiding actions that could harm company and state reputations.

Regular flights from Dammam and Riyadh airports in Saudi Arabia, near Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, continue without restrictions, with tickets available for sale. Tour operators can systematically rebook tickets for available flights, while flights to Jeddah and Medina operate as scheduled. The Ministry of Transport called on citizens to remain calm and maintain regular contact with tour operators and agents.