TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 30 Indonesian nationals stranded in Abu Dhabi were finally able to continue their travel home via a repatriation flight facilitated by the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Dubai.
The Indonesian nationals flew on an Etihad Airways flight to Singapore with other international passengers. They then continued their travel to Indonesia on a connecting flight.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Judha Nugraha in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, March 5, 2026, as reported by Antara, stated that the repatriation was the result of intensive coordination between the Indonesian representatives, the airline, and relevant authorities in the UAE to ensure the safety and smooth travel for the Indonesian nationals.
"Since the airspace closure on February 28, the Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai have been coordinating with the airline and local authorities to ensure that the affected Indonesian nationals can promptly obtain flight access to continue their travel back to the homeland," said Judha.
He added that the safety and protection of Indonesian nationals remain the top priority in every step taken by the Indonesian Government amidst the evolving regional situation.
"We ensure that all affected Indonesian nationals receive the necessary assistance and facilitation. The government is present to ensure their safe and orderly return," he said.
Previously, these Indonesian nationals were unable to continue their travel due to the temporary closure of some airspace in the Middle East region following increased regional geopolitical tensions since late February 2026.
The airspace closure had a broad impact on international flight operations, including at several major airports such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha.
This situation resulted in the cancellation of thousands of flights and left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded in various countries at airports or transit cities across the region.
With improved security coordination and the opening of limited flight corridors, airlines in the UAE began operating a number of special flights, including repatriation flights, to assist stranded passengers in continuing their journeys.
The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai had previously compiled data on dozens of Indonesian nationals affected by flight cancellations since the closure of the airspace.
As of now, the open airspace routes in the UAE are still relatively limited, so the available routes are used alternately and are subject to queues. No civil commercial flights have been operated. Only repatriation and special flights are being conducted to transport the 20,000 visitors stranded in the UAE.
Subsequently, the Indonesian nationals were facilitated through intensive communication, consular assistance, and coordination with airlines to secure seats on available flights.
The Indonesian Government, through its diplomatic representatives in the UAE, continues to monitor the security situation in the region and ensure that no Indonesian nationals are left without assistance during the crisis aviation handling process.
The Indonesian Embassy in Abu Dhabi urges Indonesian nationals who are still in the UAE and require consular assistance to promptly contact the embassy hotline or report themselves through official channels for necessary facilitation.
Read: 10,060 Indonesian Umrah Pilgrims Return Home Amid Middle East Conflict
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