Belarusian tourists who bought tours from Minsk with FlyDubai flights faced difficulties
Belarusian tourists who bought tours departing from Minsk with FlyDubai airline cannot return home and are forced to wait in the United Arab Emirates, reports the Republican Union of Tourist Organizations.
The problem arose after Iranian missile strikes on targets in the region, including Dubai Airport.
Hundreds of Belarusian citizens are currently waiting for the opportunity to fly out. Tour companies report that FlyDubai flights between Dubai and Minsk are being massively canceled. For example, the flight on March 5, which was supposed to pick up passengers planning to return on that day, was canceled. The flight on March 6 was also canceled. Meanwhile, it is unclear when people whose flights were scheduled for late February will be able to return.
The Belarusian airline "Belavia" has already organized several evacuation flights from Dubai to Minsk. However, it is difficult to get on them due to limited seats. In addition, passengers have to buy new tickets, which means additional costs. For now, Belarusian tour operators are paying for the extended stay of tourists remaining in the Emirates.
It is noted that FlyDubai flights from Dubai to Moscow continue to operate. Therefore, some Belarusian tourists who flew via the Russian capital are already returning home by this route. Tour companies are considering the possibility of sending people via Moscow, as the situation with flights to Minsk remains uncertain for now.
The situation is particularly difficult for those Belarusians who are in remote resorts — for example, in the Maldives or Zanzibar. Most of them also flew with FlyDubai, and now it is unclear how they will be able to return.
According to Belavia CEO Igor Cherginets, about a thousand Belarusian citizens might be stranded in the UAE. On March 4, the company operated two evacuation flights from Dubai to Minsk, carrying over 470 passengers, including infants. On March 5, an evacuation flight from Oman also arrived in Belarus.
Belavia plans to continue evacuation flights this and next week. In addition, the company is awaiting changes in airspace restrictions to organize an evacuation flight from Doha, Qatar. Passengers are also offered refunds for tickets to Dubai purchased with a departure date before March 31.
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