DUBAI, March 4 (Reuters) – The New Zealand government said on Wednesday that it would send two Defence Force C-130J Hercules aircraft to the Middle East in case they were needed for evacuating New Zealanders from the region.
New Zealanders are among the tens of thousands of travellers across the Middle East, who have become stranded after escalating conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran disrupted flights worldwide and forced the closure of major airports including Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub.
The government said there were currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered as living in the Middle East.
“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous and complex – and our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
He added that sending two planes along with consular staff was so “they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.”
Peters added that with airspace closed and most commercial flights not operating, the government continues to recommend that New Zealanders shelter in place – or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.
The statement said that decisions on where the consular response team and the two Hercules would be deployed were still being made.
(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Toby Chopra)
