Hong Kong received its first direct flight from Dubai in several days on Wednesday night, as Emirates gradually resumes limited services amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The development follows an announcement by Dubai Airports that operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) would partially resume.
Emirates flight EK380 departed Dubai at around 11am local time and arrived in Hong Kong at about 10pm.
The resumption of some flights has offered stranded travelers a glimmer of hope of returning home. Among those affected in recent days were Jockey Karis Teetan, who shared a photo from onboard writing, "Finally happy to be going home."
Thirteen members from a Wing On Travel tour group in Dubai also confirmed to have boarded the flight.
Jockey Karis Teetan speaks to the press after landing
Members of Hong Kong's women's football team take a group photo after landing in Bangkok.
As for the members of Hong Kong's women's football team, they have successfully boarded another flight from Dubai and safety landed in Bangkok on Wednesday night. The Hong Kong Football Association said the players would return to Hong Kong in batches depending on their flight arrangements.
The Immigration Department received inquiries from 680 residents in the Middle East as of 5pm, with 100 already departed the region and the remaining reporting safe.
Optimism returns
In addition to flights to Hong Kong, mainland media reported that services to Guangzhou have also resumed.
A traveler from Zhejiang surnamed Tsang said the mood among stranded passengers had improved noticeably.
According to Tsang, some passengers booked on Emirates flights to Hong Kong had successfully obtained boarding passes and checked in their luggage.
She added that a previously canceled flight to Guangzhou had also been reinstated, with passengers already clearing security.
Photos shared online by stranded travelers showed orderly queues at Dubai airport, with relatively light crowds and passengers calmly waiting to check in.
Tsang said her flight to Hangzhou had been rescheduled to the early hours of March 5, adding that the gradual resumption of flights had boosted confidence among passengers.
However, she cautioned that flight information remains uncertain, noting that some travelers who canceled their tickets after earlier flight suspensions have now missed the chance to board newly reinstated flights.
Over 470 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran
Speaking at a regular news briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said more than 470 Chinese citizens had been safely evacuated from Iran through arrangements made by Chinese embassies and consulates in the region.
Following the deterioration of the security situation in Iran, Mao said China had repeatedly lodged representations with relevant parties, urging them to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Iran and neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, the Airport Authority Hong Kong said that as of 5pm on Wednesday, a total of 11 flights at Hong Kong International Airport had been canceled, with another five cancellations scheduled for Thursday.
(Updated at 10.53pm)
