SYDNEY, March 5 (Reuters) – Australia said three more commercial flights were scheduled to depart the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as the first group of Australians stranded in the Middle East returned home overnight following the outbreak of the Iran conflict.
Commercial air traffic remained largely absent across much of the region, with major Gulf hubs – including Dubai, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers – largely shut for a fifth straight day, in the biggest travel disruption since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she hoped the scheduled three flights would proceed, but warned the situation remained volatile after NATO air defences destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile fired towards Turkey.
Australia says more flights from Middle East expected, situation still volatile
