TUI to fly stranded cruise ship passengers back from Gulf to Germany

"Repatriation is our responsibility, which we take very seriously. Everything is organised but when you have 5,000 customers on ships and each plane has only 200 seats, it takes time. We hope that we can begin the repatriation operation today."

"Tuifly, the company's own airline, also had planes ready to fly there as soon as we receive permission and pick up customers as quickly as possible. We have about 10,000 customers on holidays in the region in total, including those not on cruise ships but staying in hotels."

"Tourists have been affected by the biggest disruption to global travel since the Covid pandemic after US-Israeli struck Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Tehran responded against US-linked targets in the Middle East. In total, roughly 30,000 German tourists are stranded across the Middle East."

TUI, a major German travel company, is coordinating the evacuation of thousands of tourists stranded on two cruise ships in the Gulf region following escalating Middle East tensions. Approximately 7,000 passengers and crew are affected across vessels in Abu Dhabi and Doha. TUI is partnering with airlines including Etihad, Emirates, and Qatar Airways to facilitate repatriation. The company's CEO emphasized the logistical challenge of transporting 5,000 customers when individual aircraft carry only 200 seats. Additionally, TUI has roughly 10,000 customers throughout the region in hotels and other accommodations. The German government is supporting evacuation efforts by sending charter flights to Saudi Arabia and Oman, prioritizing vulnerable travelers including children, elderly, and pregnant women.

Read at The Local Germany