The first group of Polish citizens evacuated from the Middle East region by military air transport has arrived in Poland, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. After 3:00 a.m., two Polish Air Force aircraft carrying 109 evacuees landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The ministry said the evacuees set off the previous day at 5:40 a.m. They travelled by coach from Dubai to Muscat in Oman, from where they returned to Poland as part of a medical transport operation. Foreign ministry spokesman Maciej Wewiór said the evacuation prioritised people requiring urgent assistance, including older people, people with infants, wheelchair users and people with serious illnesses.
The Operational Command of the Armed Forces said the operation was carried out in cooperation, among others, with the National Security Bureau, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Ministry and the Defence Ministry. The command also said the Polish Armed Forces remain ready to carry out further tasks related to evacuation. Sports and Tourism Minister Jakub Rutnicki said that on Friday the first flights for Poles in Sri Lanka and the Maldives are expected to be available, with information to be published on the LOT Polish Airlines website. Deputy Sports and Tourism Minister Piotr Borys said LOT is offering returns “at cost” and noted that tickets can also be purchased via the sales offices indicated by the carrier.