The Commission coordinates repatriation flights from the Middle East under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism

In recent days, the European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) has supported EU Member States in organising six repatriation flights, enabling the safe return of European citizens to Bulgaria, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. Additional repatriation flights are planned under the Mechanism in the coming days, as a growing number of EU Member States have activated it. 

In response to recent developments in the region, the Commission is taking all possible measures to ensure the safety of EU citizens by supporting Member States in coordinating repatriation flights from the Middle East. The priority is to assist Member States and protect EU citizens stranded in the region and repatriate them safely to Europe. As of 5 March, ten Member States had activated the Mechanism: Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovakia and Austria.

The ERCC is coordinating the logistics of the flights offered by Member States. The Commission is fully mobilised to assist them and is in contact with EU delegations and Member States’ consular authorities in the region on this matter.

In addition to its coordination role, the European Commission can cover part of the financial costs of repatriation flights. In particular, flights offering seats to citizens of EU Member States other than the one activating the Mechanism are eligible for EU co-financing. The EU can reimburse up to 75% of the eligible costs of flights if at least 30% of the available seats are offered to citizens of other EU countries. The Commission may also book flights through therescEU mechanismif no Member State is able to support a country requesting assistance in evacuating its citizens. In that case, the Commission may cover 100% of the costs.

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Any countryin Europe and the rest of the world can request emergency assistance by activating theEU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Commission plays a key role in coordinating the response to disasters and contributes to the transport and operational costs of repatriation flights. Following a request for assistance, theEUERCCpromptly mobilises assistance and expertise.

Following recent events in Iran and the wider Middle East, EU citizens have been stranded in the affected countries, as well as in parts of Asia-Pacific and Africa, due to the closure of key airports. In this context, EU Member States and participating States in the Mechanism have started to request assistance for the repatriation of their citizens.

More information: European Commission