With commercial capacity still scarce, UAE authorities have mounted a massive assisted-departure programme for foreign nationals and short-term visitors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with Indian carriers Akasa Air and SpiceJet to operate special services from Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on 4 and 5 March, enabling more than 6,000 Indian nationals to return home. Additional repatriation flights to Cairo, Manila and Lagos are expected later this week once diplomatic clearances are secured.
The National reports that the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has completed exit formalities for around 30,000 passengers since the airspace reopened in phases. Temporary departure lounges have been set up in the Dubai World Trade Centre to relieve pressure at DXB’s Terminal 1.
![UAE organises repatriation flights and processes 30,000 departures in 48 hours]()
For travellers who still need help untangling last-minute paperwork, VisaHQ’s Dubai-based team can step in to expedite exit clearances or arrange emergency visa extensions. Their portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers up-to-date guidance on UAE immigration rules and rapid processing for multiple nationalities, giving companies and individuals an extra layer of certainty when repatriation flight seats suddenly open up.
Airlines are prioritising pregnant women, elderly travellers and those with medical conditions. Corporate mobility teams seeking seats for critical staff should liaise directly with airline station managers; block bookings via normal GDS channels are not available. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi has opened a 24-hour hotline (+971 4 309 1700) for companies needing group movements.
Employers must also monitor visa exit-stamp compliance. Travellers leaving on chartered or military flights may be processed manually rather than through the e-gate system; passports should be checked for exit stamps to avoid future re-entry complications.
The National reports that the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has completed exit formalities for around 30,000 passengers since the airspace reopened in phases. Temporary departure lounges have been set up in the Dubai World Trade Centre to relieve pressure at DXB’s Terminal 1.
For travellers who still need help untangling last-minute paperwork, VisaHQ’s Dubai-based team can step in to expedite exit clearances or arrange emergency visa extensions. Their portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers up-to-date guidance on UAE immigration rules and rapid processing for multiple nationalities, giving companies and individuals an extra layer of certainty when repatriation flight seats suddenly open up.
Airlines are prioritising pregnant women, elderly travellers and those with medical conditions. Corporate mobility teams seeking seats for critical staff should liaise directly with airline station managers; block bookings via normal GDS channels are not available. The Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi has opened a 24-hour hotline (+971 4 309 1700) for companies needing group movements.
Employers must also monitor visa exit-stamp compliance. Travellers leaving on chartered or military flights may be processed manually rather than through the e-gate system; passports should be checked for exit stamps to avoid future re-entry complications.
