Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that 558 Georgian citizens have been repatriated through government-funded charter flights organized after the escalation of military operations in the Middle East. According to the PM, four charter flights were arranged from Oman and Saudi Arabia, fully financed by the state. He thanked the Ministry of Economy and Minister for their efforts in ensuring the safety of Georgian nationals.
The repatriation became necessary after the outbreak of large-scale hostilities on 28 February 2026, when Israel and the United States launched a military operation against Iran. Iran responded with strikes not only on Israel but also on other countries in the region, prompting several Middle Eastern nations to close their airspace.
As a result, aviation routes were heavily disrupted, and dozens of daily flights from Tbilisi to Gulf countries were canceled, leaving hundreds of Georgian citizens stranded until the government arranged the special charter operations.
