RT-Engels: 10-03-2026,
Pretoria has advised its nationals to take “immediate advantage” of the limited commercial flights and leave the region
South African nationals have begun returning home from the Middle East after the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) urged them to leave the conflict-hit region.
While earlier airspace closures created a crisis for thousands of travellers, major carriers such as Emirates and South African Airways (SAA) are resuming operations, with flights expected to return to 100% capacity soon.
Airspaces across the Gulf region were closed due to severe regional instability caused by US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory drone and missile attacks.
These actions prompted nations to close airspace to protect civilian aircraft from risks of being caught in or targeted by missiles and drones.
However, major airlines have recently resumed limited commercial and relief flights following severe regional airspace closures.
As a result, DIRCO has asked South African citizens to evacuate the Middle East immediately and take “immediate advantage” of limited commercial flights to return home, as intense fighting is expected to continue.
At least 150 South Africans, many of whom were on pilgrimage in Jerusalem, have already been repatriated via African carriers such as EgyptAir.
Hundreds of citizens stranded in Dubai began returning this weekend after the UAE partially reopened its airspace. Emirates has reportedly resumed three daily flights to South Africa.
Media personality Spitch Nzawumbi took to social media to share his expressions following his arrival in South Africa on Friday.