British Nationals Report Lack of Travel Information Amid Middle East Tensions
British citizens currently stranded in the Middle East have expressed concerns to the BBC about insufficient information regarding available routes to return home as Iran continues retaliatory strikes across the region.
Teigan McFadden, 21, had her flight from Dubai cancelled on Tuesday and reported running low on her heart medication. Another family shared with the BBC that they were stranded in Oman after their flight from Malaysia was diverted.
Since Saturday, air travel in the Middle East has faced severe disruptions, with thousands of flights cancelled.
Government Response and Advice
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper informed MPs on Tuesday that the "safety and security" of British nationals remains a "top priority."
Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, advised on BBC Breakfast that British nationals should register their presence with the Foreign Office to receive the latest government advice and updates.
He added, "There will be consular support available to people including on the ground and we've sent officials there to help with extra capacity in the region."
Flight cancellations across the region began on Saturday following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks throughout the region.
Experiences of Stranded British Nationals
McFadden, from Belfast, stated she had registered with the Foreign Office but had yet to receive any updates.
"I signed up for the government email and the only email I've had is 'thank you for signing up for this'. I've had no updates from the government on what is going on.
"I feel like I'm in the grey area. My airline hasn't contacted me much, I had to contact them to find out my flight was cancelled... I have no idea when I'll actually get home."
She has remained inside her Dubai hotel since the weekend, describing the situation as "petrifying." McFadden is running low on medication for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a heart condition, and reported that stress has worsened her symptoms, causing episodes of unconsciousness.
"On Saturday I was blacking in and out, I didn't know what to do," she said.
Layla Wildon, 44, her husband Andrew, and their two children, Ophelia, 10, and Elysia, eight, were on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Doha on Saturday when it was diverted mid-air to Muscat, Oman, "for safety reasons." The family had planned to fly from Doha to London the same day.
Wildon explained that the diversion was due to the closure of airspace over Qatar.
"We had heard nothing from the airlines. The family has been put in a hotel but does not have access to their luggage."
"I completely appreciate that this is a difficult time for all involved, including airline staff," Wildon added.
"However, some form of contact to give an indication of options would make a huge difference."
Layla and Andrew are attempting to work remotely and are concerned about arranging care for their dog back in Canterbury. The family also reported difficulties obtaining food or drink in Oman until sunset due to Ramadan observances.
They have been unable to register their presence or for government updates as the service is currently unavailable for those in Oman.
Government Actions and Travel Advisories
A government charter flight is scheduled to depart from Muscat, Oman "in the coming days," according to Cooper, who urged British nationals to await contact from the Foreign Office.
"We are also working with airlines on increasing capacity out of Muscat for British nationals, with priority for vulnerable nationals," she told the Commons.
The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Cooper stated on Monday that approximately 300,000 British citizens are currently in Gulf countries.
On Tuesday, the foreign secretary reported that 130,000 British nationals had registered for the Register Your Presence programme, which is available in Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Flight Operations and Cancellations
While many British nationals remain stranded, some flights to the UK have continued operating from Dubai.
Emirates has operated flights departing for London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester.
Flights from Qatar remain suspended due to regional airspace closures.
British Airways cancelled scheduled flights to London Heathrow from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, and Dubai on Monday.
The airline emphasized that passenger safety is its "top priority." Passengers with bookings on certain routes up to 15 March are permitted to amend their travel dates to fly on or before 29 March.
Additional reporting by Kris Bramwell
