:watermark(https://f.pmo.ee//logos/4133/bb989514d16b88b940b51f02e07642d0.png,-2p,-2p,0,18,none):format(webp)/nginx/o/2026/01/30/17414488t1hcef8.jpg)
A fourth repatriation flight has brought 145 Latvian citizens home from Dubai, as the government continues efforts to assist nationals seeking to leave the United Arab Emirates amid heightened regional instability.
Prior to this latest flight on March 7, airBaltic operated two government-organized repatriation flights from Dubai to Riga on March 6, successfully returning 280 Latvian citizens, their family members, and some nationals from other European Union countries.
Another airBaltic flight departed Dubai for Riga on March 7, carrying an additional 144 Latvian citizens, family members, and citizens of other EU nations. The series of flights comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, prompting many to seek safe passage home.
The Latvian government approved 752,000 euros on Thursday for the repatriation and evacuation of its citizens from the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating a commitment to supporting nationals abroad during times of crisis.
As of today, 825 Latvian nationals have registered with the Foreign Ministry’s consular registry for short-term travel to the UAE, indicating the scale of Latvian presence in the region.
The situation follows increased military activity beginning on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting countries in the Middle East hosting U.S. Military facilities.
On Friday, Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets in Tehran and positions belonging to the Hezbollah militant group in Beirut. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. Would soon significantly increase its strikes against Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that, should Iran capitulate, the U.S. And its allies would work to make Iran “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.” However, this would be contingent on a new Iranian leadership acceptable to the U.S., with Trump also expressing a desire to “make Iran great again.”
