The first flight with Bulgarians from Dubai is expected to land at Varna Airport today. This is a charter flight of "Bulgaria Air" with tourists from the tour operator "Abax". The plane took off at 9:45 Dubai time, will fly through Southern Oman and Egypt and is expected to land at 14:20 in Varna, Georgi Pasev, manager of "Abax", told TravelNews.
There are 180 people on board from the Varna and Eastern Bulgaria region. Pasev added that all the tourists are well, and 8 experienced tour guides took care of them. "We are constantly in contact with the Ministry of Tourism and Foreign Affairs. We thank them for their cooperation and adequacy", said Georgi Pasev.
Other evacuation flights of Bulgarians stranded by the conflict in the Middle East are expected today. They will bring back citizens who are in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, announced Foreign Minister Nadezhda Neynski. According to her, a flight is expected from Oman, from where about 300 people should board, if the situation on the ground is safe.
There are countries with a significant number of Bulgarian citizens. We have information about Bulgarians who are in exotic resorts. It is more difficult to send planes there. I spoke with the Foreign Minister of Greece. He offered assistance in evacuating citizens from Oman. We are trying to respond immediately with safe routes for the stranded Bulgarians, all options have been mobilized - the government air force, the national carrier "Bulgaria Air" and other airlines with planes. There are many aspects of security. It is most difficult with Israel, but all options are being sought. We do not want to put anyone at risk in the air, Neynski commented.
The Foreign Minister stated that detailed lists have been prepared by country of Bulgarian citizens who could potentially be evacuated.