Shortly after 18.30 Luxembourg time on Wednesday evening, the first evacuation flight carrying Luxembourgers on board departed from Oman, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said. There were 104 passengers on board, including seven babies and two children.
Earlier today, it was reported that Luxair would begin the process of bringing back around 600 Luxembourgish citizens stranded by airspace closures caused by the war in Iran.
Because pilots are not allowed to fly for long periods without a break, a stopover will be made in Egypt,
Bettel added. The passengers will be accommodated in a hotel. A second plane is expected to depart from Oman for Luxembourg on Wednesday evening.
The Luxembourg government are examining all options to bring home the approximately 600 Luxembourg tourists currently stranded in the affected areas.
Possible options include flights with Luxair, as well as potential evacuation flights using A400M or MRTT military aircraft in cooperation with Belgium, the government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Luxair had already sent a Boeing 737 to Egypt on Tuesday, so it could be on the ground quickly if flights to bring Luxembourgers home became possible. The aircraft, which can carry 186 passengers, has now continued on to Oman.
The Luxembourg Government believe around 600 people connected to the Grand Duchy are currently in the Middle East.
This includes Luxembourgers and non-Luxembourg resident nationals who have registered in the LamA system, as well as Luxair customers who have not registered, the foreign ministry said in response to a query.
It is not known how many people are in the region for a holiday or short stay and how many live there permanently.
The safety of Luxembourgers on the ground is the government’s top priority, it added.
Neighbouring countries have also begun bringing their residents home: two Lufthansa aircraft are expected to depart for the Middle East today.
Around 30,000 German tourists are currently stranded in the affected areas.
