MSC Cruises has confirmed plans to charter five flights to repatriate 1,000 guests currently onboard MSC Euribia in Dubai

The first flight is scheduled to depart on Thursday (5 March). The line said it will continue to pursue “every available pathway” for the remaining guests onboard, including commercial flights, further charter options and coordinated government-assisted solutions.

It comes amid the ongoing US-Israel military action in Iran. The conflict entered its sixth day on Thursday (5 March), following escalations earlier this week after air strikes killed Iranian leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday (28 February). Iran responded by bombing US allies in the region, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.

On Wednesday (4 March), Celestyal, which currently has Celestyal Journey docked in Doha and Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, ended its Arabian Gulf season with the cancellation of four sailings.

The war in Iran has led to widespread travel chaos, which Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said described as the worst since the pandemic, with cruise lines and airlines forced to cancel departures and many passengers left without clear instructions on what to do next.

Agents have been working to support customers in the region and to reassure those due to travel in the coming days, weeks and months, but the trade has warned there is “no doubt” the conflict will impact long-term travel sentiment.