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Koreans return from Middle East on government charter flight — in pictures

Published: 09 Mar. 2026, 11:00 Updated: 09 Mar. 2026, 18:24

A Korean who had been stuck in the United Arab Emirates hugs a family member upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, who came home aboard a chartered flight arranged by the Korean government on March 9. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

Korean citizens who had been stranded in the United Arab Emirates arrived at Incheon International Airport early Monday on a government-arranged charter flight, as tensions in the Middle East continue due to the Iran war.

It was the first time the Korean government had deployed a charter flight to support the return of its citizens since the war began after the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28.

Despite the normally quiet early-morning hours, the arrivals hall at Incheon International Airport was crowded with family members waiting for the returning passengers.

Many family members arrived well before the scheduled landing time and waited anxiously, while some paced around the terminal. When the doors to the arrivals hall opened, many hugged one another and shed tears as they reunited.

The charter flight, operated by Etihad Airways, departed Abu Dhabi International Airport at 5:35 p.m. Korea time on Sunday and landed at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport at 1:29 a.m. Monday after an approximately eight-hour flight.

Koreans who had been stuck in the United Arab Emirates are greeted by family members upon arrival at Incheon International Airport. They came home aboard a chartered flight arranged by the Korean government on March 9. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

A total of 206 passengers were on board. They included 203 Korean nationals and three foreign spouses with British, French and Canadian citizenship.

The government had initially expected 285 passengers to board the flight. However, 38 later canceled their reservations and 53 did not arrive at the airport. Another 12 people who had not applied in advance for the flight were permitted to board at the airport.

Critically ill patients, people with severe disabilities, pregnant individuals, older people, infants and toddlers, and those with essential companions were prioritized.

Under the relevant guidelines, passengers who took the charter flight will pay the airfare, about 1.4 million won ($940), to a designated account at a later date.

A father and daughter embrace each other at Incheon International Airport on March 9, after a chartered flight arranged by the Korean government landed in Korea. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

Koreans who had been stuck in the United Arab Emirates are greeted by family members upon arrival at Incheon International Airport, who came home aboard a chartered flight arranged by the Korean government on March 9. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

Koreans stranded in the United Arab Emirates arrive at Incheon International Airport aboard a chartered flight arranged by the Korean government on March 9. [KIM KYOUNG-ROK]

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY KIM KYOUNG-ROK [[email protected]]