Belgium to airlift stranded nationals from Middle East under EU Civil Protection Mechanism

Belgium will start repatriating tourists and short-term business travellers caught up in the worsening Gulf crisis on Friday, 6 March, after activating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, officials confirmed on 5 March. Defence Minister Theo Francken said an Airbus A330 MRTT leased from the Netherlands will shuttle evacuees from Muscat, Oman, to Hurghada, Egypt, before onward transfer to Brussels. Ten Member States have now triggered the mechanism, allowing the European Commission to co-finance up to 75 % of transport costs provided at least 30 % of seats are opened to other EU citizens. For corporates, this means employees of any EU nationality who reach the Muscat muster point could secure a Belgian-organised evacuation at capped fares. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot told Parliament that 420 Belgian passport holders are registered as travelling in the affected region, half of them on short business assignments. Permanent residents have been advised to shelter in place, reflecting limited aircraft capacity and the priority given to tourists and posted workers. The operation follows a week of air-traffic disruptions and heightened insurance premiums on Middle-Eastern routes. Travel-risk consultants say the Belgian mission provides “critical redundancy” for companies whose usual carriers have suspended services. Employers are reminded that evacuation costs for employees can be deductible under Belgian tax rules if proper documentation is retained. EU Emergency Response Coordination Centre officials indicated that additional flights could be launched if security deteriorates, and urged companies to keep staff travel trackers up to date so that consular authorities can contact them quickly.