The Australian government has expanded repatriation efforts for citizens stranded overseas, scheduling additional flights from the United Arab Emirates as travel disruptions continue across parts of the Middle East.
Resources Minister Madeleine King said the planned flights would help Australians attempting to return home after regional instability disrupted commercial aviation routes.
Four repatriation flights are scheduled to depart from Dubai and two from Abu Dhabi within the next 24 hours.
King described the development as “good news” for Australians who have been unable to travel due to the escalating conflict in the region.
“It’s a long way from home, and there are Australians caught out a long way from home,” she said.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs is working very hard to make sure every Australian finds their way to a safe place and hopefully home.”
Officials have also indicated that Qatar Airways may soon begin operating a limited number of relief flights to assist travellers affected by the disruptions.
The emergency flights are part of a broader government response to the worsening security environment following the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
The fighting has affected air travel routes across parts of the Middle East and surrounding regions, leaving some Australians stranded abroad.
During the interview, King declined to comment on reports that Australian military personnel were aboard a United States submarine involved in the sinking of an Iranian warship earlier this week.
Defence sources previously suggested two Australians may have been present on the vessel when it fired a torpedo that destroyed the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka.
At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.
King said she would not discuss operational details involving military personnel.
“It really isn’t appropriate to go into those details,” she said.
The minister confirmed that Australian Defence Force members routinely train alongside the United States Navy as part of long-standing defence cooperation arrangements under the AUKUS security partnership.
“For operational security reasons, the Australian Defence Force does not and should not disclose specific details regarding third country deployments,” she said.
Australian authorities continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East while working to assist citizens attempting to leave the region.