Defence prepares for possible evacuation flights from Middle East, as Govt says commercial flights still best

The Defence Force has begun preparing for possible evacuation flights from the Middle East, but the government is stressing that commercial travel is still the best way for Australians stranded by the Iran conflict to return home.

The Nightly understands Brisbane-based military personnel have again been placed on alert for potential overseas deployments as part of any future government repatriation efforts.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has stressed to Australians trying to leave the Middle East region to focus on getting a commercial ticket first because it would be quicker than waiting for possible military evacuations.

“It is likely, in terms of volume, to be quicker, getting Australians home, if we can get commercial flights, if the airspace becomes available but we are working on a range of contingencies,” Senator Wong told reporters in Canberra.

“It’s one of the contingencies we always look at but the scale of the numbers at the moment means that commercial flights resuming will be the most effective way to get Australians home.”

Around 115,000 Australians are currently believed to be in the Middle East, with many stuck in the region after more than 12,000 flights were cancelled since the war against Iran began.

In a brief statement, a Defence spokesperson confirmed to The Nightly that “Defence remains ready to support DFAT-led Whole-of-Government contingency planning.”

Australia’s military headquarters at Al Minhad outside Dubai, which was hit by Iranian drone strikes on the weekend, would again be the likely staging point for any evacuation flights, if the government decides to authorise them.