The first repatriation flight carrying Dutch citizens from Lebanon touched down at Eindhoven Air Base just before 9 PM. A total of 185 passengers were on board, including over a hundred Dutch citizens and their families. Alongside the Dutch, passengers from Belgium, Ireland, and Finland were also part of the flight.
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received around 500 requests for two repatriation flights. However, not everyone could be accommodated. “We first check how many Dutch nationals can and want to leave, ensure they meet the conditions, and confirm they have the proper documentation,” explained Christiaan Rebergen, Secretary General of Foreign Affairs.
Some individuals who registered earlier have since found alternative ways to leave Lebanon. A second Dutch repatriation flight is scheduled for tomorrow, but whether more flights will be arranged afterward depends on the situation. For now, it seems commercial flights out of Lebanon will continue after tomorrow.
The aircraft used for the repatriation is a military version of the A330, which is capable of transporting cargo and refueling other planes mid-air. The Netherlands shares a fleet of nine of these aircraft with other NATO member nations.
Gathering at Beirut Airport
This morning, the Dutch citizens were instructed to gather at Beirut airport, where they were met by embassy staff and members of the Rapid Consular Support Team (SCOT). SCOT is a specialized team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, deployed when large numbers of Dutch nationals require assistance.
Several other countries, including Germany, the UK, and Bulgaria, have already evacuated their citizens and embassy personnel from Lebanon.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had stated that no repatriation would be organized because commercial flights were still available. However, due to the increasingly uncertain security situation in Lebanon, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense decided to proceed with the evacuation.
