Repatriation flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi with empty seats ‘disappoint’ Australian government.
Dubai: Since the launch of repatriation flights from the UAE following regional Iranian aggression, the Australian government has reportedly expressed “disappointment” over flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi having rows of empty seats.
Photos and video clips of what Australian media have dubbed “ghost flights,” showing numerous vacant seats, have sparked controversy in both mainstream media and on social media in Australia and the UAE.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong described it as “disappointing” to see flights from the Middle East arrive in Australia half-empty.
“We are seeking to work even more closely with the airlines to try and coordinate that. We want every seat filled,” Wong told reporters on Friday.
Near-empty planes
Except for the first few flights, which carried 380 to 450 passengers, most of the four-class Airbus A380 aircraft departing from Dubai carried very few passengers. Sources told Gulf News that some flights had fewer than 150 passengers, others fewer than 100, and at least one had fewer than 50 on board.
Known as the world’s largest passenger aircraft, most A380 superjumbos have a seating capacity of over 480.
While some analysts attributed the near-empty flights to last-minute bookings, poor communication, and high fares, some Australian expats in the UAE offered a different explanation.
“We are not leaving,” they said on social media.
“We are not stuck in a war zone. Yes, there is war happening around us, but we don’t want to come home… That is why the plane is empty,” an Australian woman said in a viral video clip.
‘UAE is home’
Several Emiratis reposted the video, praising the Australian expats for their solidarity and loyalty, while expats from other countries shared similar sentiments about choosing to stay rather than leave.
“For those who choose to stay, your trust in the UAE and its armed forces means a great deal to us. We value your solidarity, and we promise to keep you safe,” said X user Khalifa.
Another X user, Bilal, wrote: “The loyalty of UAE residents needs to be studied. The UAE must be the first and only country in the world where its residents don’t flee. They have so much trust in the government. Blessed to be a part of this community.”
‘The Star’ added: “Bro, it’s unbelievable, we’re doing everything just normal. You will be surprised to know that most of the news you’re seeing about Dubai — it’s not accurate.”
Duty to students
Gulf News also spoke to Hayley Reynolds, an Australian teacher in Dubai. “Of the Australians I know, none of us are planning on going back,” she said.
“As teachers, we don’t just have a duty to ourselves but to our students as well. If we leave, where does that leave them? The UAE has looked after us, and while Australia is far away, that doesn’t remove us from this war. For me, my home is here. I’m going to stay as long as I can. We have emergency plans if we are forced to leave, but none of us are jumping on planes now,” she explained.
A parent to five cats, Reynolds also said she cannot leave her pets behind. “Australia does not allow pets imported from the UAE directly. They would have to spend six months in another country first. I wouldn’t ever consider leaving without them,” she added.
Some Australian expats have also cited the high cost of living in Australia as another reason for choosing to stay in the UAE.
Official figures
More than 1,500 Australians have departed the UAE for Australia on 18 commercial flights, with hundreds more safely leaving for other destinations, Australia’s Ambassador to the UAE, Ridwaan Jadwat, said on Monday.
In a video message posted on social media, he added: “The overwhelming majority of Australians who were stranded in the UAE at the onset of the conflict have now departed.”
“Our team has been working closely with the airlines and airports to support Australians during this difficult time. We are very grateful to the UAE authorities, Emirates, and Etihad for their ongoing efforts in making these flights possible,” he said.
Acknowledging that some Australian expats may be considering returning home—a decision he described as “difficult, particularly when you have made a home here”—Jadwat said: “If you do wish to return, we encourage you to book available flights. Currently, there are commercial flights scheduled, and seats are available.”
Other key updates
On Sunday, the Australian government directed the departure of dependents of Australian officials posted to the UAE, in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
The Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate in Dubai are closed to the public. Both missions continue to provide essential consular services, such as passport assistance, via email or telephone, according to updates on the embassy’s social media accounts.
Australians needing emergency consular assistance can contact the Australian government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre at +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 in Australia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also opened a crisis registration portal for Australians in Israel, Iran, the UAE and Qatar to provide timely updates and support amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Australia’s foreign minister said the portal allows citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families in those countries to register so they can receive important information and prioritised consular assistance.
