Riga is preparing to bring its citizens home from the United Arab Emirates as regional tensions escalate. Latvia’s Foreign Ministry, in coordination with the Transport Ministry, is finalizing an order for national airline airBaltic to operate repatriation flights for Latvian nationals currently in the UAE. The move comes amid heightened concerns following recent strikes in Iran and Israel and the resulting disruption to air travel across the Middle East.
The situation is particularly acute for the approximately 576 Latvian citizens currently registered as being in the UAE, according to the Foreign Ministry’s records as of Tuesday. Whereas the total number of Latvians in the region – including those in Israel, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan – is around 676, the UAE hosts the largest contingent. The Ministry acknowledges that the actual number may be higher, as not all travelers register their presence with the Latvian consulate.
“Priority will be given to vulnerable individuals and families with children,” the Foreign Ministry stated in a social media post on Monday, March 4th. The Ministry is working to secure the flights, but the ongoing closure of airspace over much of the Middle East, with the exception of Oman, presents significant logistical challenges. Regular air traffic control is disrupted, and frequent air raid sirens are being sounded throughout the region.
The decision to initiate repatriation plans reflects a growing concern within the Latvian government about the safety of its citizens abroad. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has emphasized the difficulty in predicting how the situation in the Middle East will evolve, urging all travelers to carefully consider the necessity of their trips. She also noted that while Egyptian airspace remains open, closures in other countries could lead to unexpected changes to flight schedules to and from Egypt.
The Latvian Foreign Ministry is coordinating with other European Union member states to assist their citizens in the region. EU member states are prioritizing support for those most in need, including individuals with health problems. Cyprus has offered to serve as a support hub should it become necessary to evacuate EU citizens, and a land route to Oman remains open, though Emirati authorities do not currently recommend travel there.
Latvijas 🇱🇻 valstspiederīgo repatriācijai no Apvienotajiem Arābu Emirātiem 🇦🇪 @arlietas kopā ar @Sat_Min gatavo MK rīkojumu @airBaltic reisu nodrošināšanai, prioritizējot mazaizsargātās personas, ğimenes ar bērniem. Par detaļām ziņosim. pic.twitter.com/ECK8wA2XIc
— Ārlietu ministrija 🇱🇻 | #atbalstuUkrainu 🇺🇦 (@Arlietas) March 4, 2026
The unfolding crisis follows recent Israeli and U.S. Strikes on Iran over the weekend, with retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting Israel and U.S. Military installations in Bahrain and other Gulf states, as reported. The Iranian Red Crescent has reported 787 fatalities as a result of the strikes within Iran as of Tuesday.
Latvian citizens requiring emergency assistance are urged to contact the Foreign Ministry’s consular department 24/7 hotline at +371 26337711 or via email at [email protected]. The Ministry also encourages all travelers to register with the Consular Register through the Latvija.gov.lv portal or the “Ceļo droši” mobile app.
The airBaltic repatriation flights are still awaiting final approval from the Cabinet of Ministers. The Ministry has not yet announced a specific timeline for the flights, but officials are working to expedite the process given the volatile security situation. Travelers are advised to monitor updates from the Foreign Ministry and airBaltic for further information.
The situation highlights the increasing challenges faced by governments in protecting their citizens abroad during periods of geopolitical instability. The Latvian government’s proactive approach, in coordination with its national airline and European partners, aims to ensure the safe return of its nationals from the region. The next official update regarding the repatriation flights is expected following the Cabinet of Ministers’ review of the proposal.
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