Indonesia Works to Repatriate Citizens Stranded in UAE After Airspace Closure
- 04 Mar 2026 19:43 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian citizens stranded in the United Arab Emirates are still awaiting flights home following the country’s airspace closure on February 28, 2026. The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai are actively coordinating with airlines to arrange repatriation, ensuring protection and safe passage for nationals affected by the disruption.
Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE, Judha Nugraha, said Wednesday, March 4, 2026, that 41 citizens remain in Abu Dhabi and Dubai after their flights were canceled due to heightened security concerns in the Middle East. “Most are transit passengers bound for Indonesia or onward destinations,” he explained.
Efforts are focused on securing repatriation flights with carriers such as Etihad Airways and Emirates, redirecting passengers to nearby hubs like Singapore and Bangkok before continuing on to Jakarta. Officials have also explored alternative routes, including overland travel to Oman for onward flights from Muscat, and the possibility of using Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Madinah airports, which continue to serve international routes.
Ambassador Judha noted that flight operations in the UAE remain limited, with airlines prioritizing routes carrying larger passenger volumes to accommodate some 20,000 visitors still stranded. “Flights to Jakarta involve fewer passengers, so special arrangements are required,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Indonesia’s representatives in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are maintaining close communication with affected citizens, conducting data collection and direct coordination to monitor their needs and facilitate their return. “We will continue to pursue all available options so that our citizens can return safely to Indonesia,” Judha affirmed. ***
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