HK govt seeks Emirates seats on March 7-8 flights for residents stranded in UAE

The Hong Kong government is in discussions with Emirates airline to reserve seats on March 7 and 8 flights for residents with special needs to return from the UAE, as about 730 Hong Kongers remain in the Middle East following regional flight disruptions.

A government spokesman said Thursday that among the 730 enquiries received by the Immigration Department, about 200 people have already safely left the region. Nearly 90 percent of the enquiries came from Hong Kong residents in the UAE.

Dubai Airport resumed limited operations on March 2, with flights currently mainly operated by UAE-based carriers. The government has urged Emirates to add more flights as soon as possible and is seeking priority seats for residents with urgent needs.

Most airspace and airports across the Middle East remain closed, the spokesman noted. Authorities are maintaining close communication with airlines to understand flight resumption plans and secure seats for stranded residents.

The Immigration Department continues to liaise with affected residents, providing advice and feasible assistance, while maintaining contact with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chinese embassies and consulates, and the Travel Industry Authority to monitor developments.