Western governments and airlines are increasing evacuation efforts after war in the Middle East left hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded across Gulf states. A United States government charter flight is transporting Americans home, with additional departures being arranged across the region. Qatar Airways has announced limited relief flights from Muscat and Riyadh to several European cities, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London Heathrow, Madrid, Rome, and Frankfurt.

A planned United Kingdom repatriation flight from Oman was delayed after the pilot exceeded permitted working hours due to check in delays. The flight, intended for British nationals and their immediate family members with priority given to vulnerable passengers, has been rescheduled for later on Thursday.

The disruption follows recent military strikes involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, which triggered retaliatory attacks and widespread flight cancellations. Major carriers, including British Airways, have suspended routes to several cities in the region, further complicating efforts to return stranded travelers home.