Emirates passenger jets are parked on the apron at Incheon International Airport, Wednesday, as several Middle Eastern countries closed their airspace and suspended civilian flights following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. Yonhap
Direct flights from Dubai to Incheon resumed Friday after being suspended amid escalating military conflict in the Middle East. The resumption raises hopes that Korean tourists stranded in the region can return home.
Direct flights departing from Incheon to Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations remain suspended until Sunday.
According to Dubai International Airport and Korean nationals staying in the United Arab Emirates, Emirates flights departed Dubai at 3:30 a.m. and 4:45 a.m. local time, bound for Incheon International Airport.
The flights marked the first direct service between Korea and the Middle East since the suspension of operations following airstrikes on Iran by the United States and Israel and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks.
Apart from the two flights scheduled for Friday, no additional direct services have yet been confirmed.
The Korean government is also in talks with UAE authorities to deploy chartered flights and military transport aircraft as early as this weekend to help evacuate Korean nationals.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun attended a plenary session of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee Friday and said, “I spoke with the UAE foreign minister last night and requested that UAE civilian aircraft be allowed to depart directly for Incheon.”
Of the roughly 20,000 Koreans in the region, Cho said the government is identifying those who wish to return home.
“The number is not yet final,” he said, “but it appears large enough to consider deploying charter flights.”
Source: Korea Times News
