Five days after hostilities erupted between the United States, Israel and Iran, France on 4 March operated additional repatriation flights from Dubai and Riyadh, bringing home more than 600 citizens and residents who had been marooned by widespread air-space closures. AFP reports that the latest arrivals at Paris-CDG were greeted by crisis-centre staff who arranged onward rail vouchers and temporary accommodation for those without immediate connections. The operation forms part of a broader EU-coordinated air-bridge that has so far evacuated an estimated 18,000 Europeans. France’s Transport Ministry said it had chartered three Air France A350s and activated the Volontaires de l’Aide Civile network to assist vulnerable passengers, including business travellers caught on stopovers and dual-national children travelling on tourist passports. While major Gulf hubs have reopened for limited traffic, slot availability remains patchy and insurers continue to levy war-risk premiums, raising ticket prices.
![France joins global evacuation effort as special flights repatriate Gulf-stranded travellers]()
For travellers whose documents are nearing expiry amid the upheaval, VisaHQ can provide step-by-step online support and rapid processing for Schengen visa extensions, Talent Passport renewals and other consular paperwork; French citizens and residents can start the process at https://www.visahq.com/france/
French companies with staff in the region are advised to maintain updated traveller tracking and ensure employees register with the Ariane consular platform. Immigration lawyers note that returnees holding short-stay Schengen visas that expired during the disruption will have ten calendar days to apply for an exceptional extension at their local préfecture. Employers sponsoring Talent Passport holders are urged to file renewal dossiers early, citing force majeure. Officials stressed that only passengers with confirmed seats or diplomatic clearance should attempt to access evacuation flights; ad-hoc airport lobbying is discouraged and could breach local security ordinances.
For travellers whose documents are nearing expiry amid the upheaval, VisaHQ can provide step-by-step online support and rapid processing for Schengen visa extensions, Talent Passport renewals and other consular paperwork; French citizens and residents can start the process at https://www.visahq.com/france/
French companies with staff in the region are advised to maintain updated traveller tracking and ensure employees register with the Ariane consular platform. Immigration lawyers note that returnees holding short-stay Schengen visas that expired during the disruption will have ten calendar days to apply for an exceptional extension at their local préfecture. Employers sponsoring Talent Passport holders are urged to file renewal dossiers early, citing force majeure. Officials stressed that only passengers with confirmed seats or diplomatic clearance should attempt to access evacuation flights; ad-hoc airport lobbying is discouraged and could breach local security ordinances.
