PARIS — The French government has launched emergency evacuation operations for its citizens trapped in the Middle East amid escalating regional hostilities. The initial repatriation flight arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport early Wednesday, carrying vulnerable French nationals from conflict-affected areas.
According to Eleonore Caroit, Minister for French Nationals Abroad, the government secured approximately 100 priority seats on the aircraft for families with children, elderly citizens, and individuals with medical conditions. The flight originated from Muscat, Oman, with an intermediate stop in Cairo, Egypt, before concluding its journey in Paris. A subsequent evacuation flight transporting French citizens who had crossed from Israel into Egypt is scheduled to arrive later today.
President Emmanuel Macron revealed that approximately 400,000 French citizens are currently situated within the conflict zone, either as permanent residents or temporary visitors. Widespread airspace closures and severe flight restrictions across the Gulf region have created unprecedented travel disruptions, leaving thousands stranded both within immediate conflict areas and in distant transit hubs.
The global response has intensified as multiple nations initiate emergency repatriation efforts. The United States has issued urgent advisories for American citizens to immediately depart from over fifteen Middle Eastern countries using available commercial options. Similarly, the British government has arranged charter flights from Oman, prioritizing vulnerable individuals among the thousands of registered UK nationals in the region.
Commercial aviation shows tentative signs of recovery with Etihad, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic resuming select flights from the UAE to London. Norway has deployed emergency diplomatic teams to Dubai to assist approximately 1,500 registered Norwegian citizens, reflecting the international scale of the evacuation challenge.