Stuck in Abu Dhabi, 30 Indonesians finally returned home via repatriation flight

ABU JAKARTA - A total of 30 Indonesian citizens (WNI) who were stuck in Abu Dhabi were finally able to continue their journey home after being facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai.

The Indonesian citizens were flown on an Etihad Airways plane to Singapore before continuing their journey to Indonesia via a continuation flight.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Judha Nugraha, said the repatriation was the result of intensive coordination between Indonesian representatives, airlines, and local authorities to ensure the safety and smooth travel of Indonesian citizens.

"Since the beginning of the closure of the airspace on February 28, the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Indonesian Consulate General in Dubai have continued to coordinate with airlines and local authorities so that Indonesian citizens affected can immediately obtain flight access to continue their journey to their homeland," said Judha in Abu Dhabi, Antara, Thursday, March 5.

He emphasized that the safety and protection of Indonesian citizens remained the government's top priority amid the still evolving regional situation.

"We ensure that all Indonesian citizens affected receive the necessary assistance and facilitation. The government is present to ensure that they can continue their journey safely and orderly," he said.

The Indonesian citizens were previously unable to continue their journey due to the temporary closure of part of the airspace in the Middle East region following the increased regional geopolitical tensions since the end of February 2026.

The closure of the airspace has a wide impact on international flight operations, including at a number of major airports such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha.

This situation has led to thousands of flights being canceled and leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers in various countries stranded in airports and transit cities in the region.

As security coordination improves and limited flight corridors open, airlines in the UAE have started operating a number of special flights, including repatriation flights for stranded passengers.

The Indonesian representative had previously listed dozens of Indonesian citizens who were affected by the cancellation of flights since the closure of the airspace.

Until now, the air routes opened in the UAE region are still limited so that flight routes are used alternately. Commercial civilian flights have not fully operated and most of the flights that run are repatriation flights or special flights to mobilize about 20,000 visitors who were stuck in the region.

Indonesian diplomatic representatives in the UAE also continue to monitor the development of the regional security situation and ensure that there are no Indonesian citizens who are stranded during the handling process of this flight crisis.

The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi appealed to Indonesian citizens who are still in the UAE and need consular assistance to immediately contact the Embassy hotline or report themselves through official channels so that they can be facilitated as needed.