For several days, the tourism sector has been watching the consequences of the crisis in the Middle East . Between closed airspace, canceled flights, and stranded travelers, the situation remains complex for both professionals and authorities. But a turning point seems to be emerging: France has just secured a significant increase in commercial flights to Paris from the United Arab Emirates in order to accelerate the repatriation of its citizens.
👉 To follow the evolution of the crisis in real time, consult our exclusive tool: the Iran War Radar from InfosTourisme , the first radar in the sector dedicated to geopolitical impacts on tourism.
Summary
Middle East repatriation: a crisis shaking the entire tourism industry
The war in Iran, which has gradually spread throughout the region, continues to cause significant disruption to air travel and international tourism. According to the specialized press, several tour operators have already managed to repatriate the majority of their clients.
Some tour operators, such as NG Travel, report having repatriated approximately 95% of their travelers. However, for the French government, the situation remains more complex to manage due to the significantly larger number of its citizens present in the region.
Today, the number of French citizens in the Middle East is estimated at nearly 400,000, including approximately 40,000 travelers. Among them, around 7,400 have officially requested assistance to return to France.
In this context, repatriation depends heavily on the gradual resumption of commercial flights and the ability of airlines to restart their rotations.
Why repatriation in the Middle East remains complicated
The main obstacle remains the closure of certain airspaces and the overflight restrictions related to the conflict.
Airlines have drastically reduced their operations. On March 10, 2026, Emirates' activity was only 57.86% of its pre-crisis level.
The situation is even more precarious for other carriers in the region. Qatar Airways is reportedly operating at only 11.12% of its usual activity, while Etihad Airways is barely reaching 16.79%.
In other words, the recovery remains very gradual and each additional flight becomes strategic for repatriating nationals.
The actions put in place to organize the repatriation
Faced with this situation, the French government has activated several measures to facilitate the return of travellers.
1. Booking seats on commercial flights
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has blocked seats on several flights to allow nationals to return home more quickly.
2. Organization of charter flights
Specially chartered flights have been put in place, with priority given to vulnerable people.
3. Army mobilization
Military flights supplement the system when civilian solutions are insufficient.
4. Creation of a crisis unit
A dedicated unit has been set up to support French citizens stranded in the region.
5. Coordination with local authorities
French diplomacy is negotiating directly with regional authorities to increase air capacity.
An increase in commercial flights to Paris
During a press conference held at the Quai d'Orsay, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed an important development.
The immediate priority remains the safety of French nationals present in the region.
Since February 28, twelve chartered flights have already been organized to repatriate French citizens.
"As of March 11, 12 flights have been chartered since February 28, primarily for vulnerable individuals. 1,400 French citizens have benefited from these flights, including around fifty foreign nationals, mostly Europeans, under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Six additional flights are planned in the coming days, and in total, by the end of the week, approximately 2,000 French citizens will have benefited from the chartered flights."
Middle East repatriation: France secures more flights
But the most important announcement concerns commercial flights. The French government has secured an increase in flight frequencies from the United Arab Emirates to Paris.
“This week there are 30,000 seats available on direct commercial flights between the Middle East region and France. Our goal is to increase the number of these commercial flights, particularly those departing from the United Arab Emirates, which accounts for nearly 60% of the 7,500 requests for return assistance. France has notably obtained a significant increase in the number of flights to Paris from the Emirati authorities: the systems are ramping up.”
Comparison of repatriation solutions
| Flight type | Organization | Priority public |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial flights | Airlines | Individual travelers |
| Charter flights | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Vulnerable people |
| Military flights | French State | Emergency situations |
Questions that tourism professionals are asking
How many French citizens have already been repatriated?
Approximately 15,000 people have already been able to return home thanks to commercial flights.
How many flights were chartered?
Twelve flights have been chartered since February 28th.
How many people are requesting repatriation?
Approximately 7,400 French nationals have applied for assistance with their return.
How many French people live in the region?
It is estimated that there are approximately 400,000 French nationals present in the Middle East.
How many people should be repatriated by the state?
According to the authorities, between 3,500 and 4,000 French citizens could be repatriated via public mechanisms.
A concrete example of the difficulties encountered
The testimonies gathered show that some travellers are facing a dramatic increase in airline ticket prices.
As Philippe Tabarot , Minister for Transport, explained on France Info :
“But we’re really realizing today that the questions being asked, and the frustration, are related to the fact that, for example, holiday budgets are ultimately tripled or quadrupled. But I would say that the problem is no longer a lack of supply for repatriating our citizens today; it’s more a problem of resources.”
Key takeaways for tourism professionals
- The crisis in the Middle East is severely disrupting air transport.
- Repatriation depends on the gradual resumption of commercial flights.
- France has seen a significant increase in flights to Paris.
- 12 charter flights have already been organized since the end of February.
- Between 3,500 and 4,000 nationals could be repatriated by the State.
- Ticket prices have increased sharply for some travellers.
Why this crisis will have a lasting impact on tourism
For tourism professionals, this crisis highlights an often underestimated reality: the sector's dependence on geopolitical balances. The Middle East repatriation efforts demonstrate how crucial crisis management has become for tour operators, airlines, and public authorities.
And one thing is certain: in the coming months, risk management and traveler safety will once again become major issues for the entire tourism industry.
👉 To follow the evolution of the crisis and its impacts on global tourism, consult our exclusive tool: the Iran War Radar from InfosTourisme , the first radar in the sector dedicated to the impacts of the conflict on air transport and travel.
In short
- The crisis in the Middle East is severely disrupting air transport.
- France is accelerating the repatriation of its citizens.
- 12 charter flights have already been organized.
- Approximately 7,400 French citizens are requesting assistance with their return.
- The United Arab Emirates is increasing flights to Paris.
Updates
March 11, 2026: France obtains a significant increase in commercial flights to Paris from the United Arab Emirates.
Sources
TourMaG
https://www.tourmag.com/Rapatriement-Moyen-Orient-la-France-obtient-davantage-de-vols-vers-Paris_a130885.html
France Info
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