Kazakhstan Returns Nearly 1,000 Citizens From the Middle East

Repatriation flights have arrived in Aktau and Atyrau, Orda.kz reports.

On March 4, several flights carrying Kazakhstani citizens from the Middle East landed at Kazakhstani airports.

Air Astana operated several flights from Medina and Jeddah. Flight KC2202 arrived in Aktau at 21:28 with 142 passengers on board. Flight KC2208 on the Medina–Atyrau route landed at 01:19 and brought 145 people. Another flight from Jeddah arrived in Atyrau at 02:50 with 174 passengers, and flight KC2204 landed there at 03:34 with 179 passengers on board.

SCAT is operating a Boeing 767 with around 290 seats on the Almaty–Muscat–Almaty route.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that thousands of Kazakhstani citizens remain in the region. According to the ministry, around 3,500 citizens are in the UAE, approximately 3,000 in Saudi Arabia and around 1,500 in Qatar. Kazakhstan’s diplomatic missions are compiling lists of citizens and preparing possible evacuation routes via neighbouring countries.

Later that night, Kazakhstani pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia also arrived in Atyrau. Due to airspace restrictions, the planes took an alternative route via Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. After arrival, passengers continued on to their home cities.

Original author: Ruslan Loginov

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