Emirates has restarted flights between Dubai and Prague, creating a new route for Czech citizens seeking to return home from the Middle East.

Authorities say the flights could transport around 615 passengers a day, easing pressure on a repatriation effort that has struggled with limited seats and transport challenges across the region.

The Czech government and travel agencies have been organizing special flights for citizens affected by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, the operation has faced logistical difficulties, including moving travelers across borders and securing enough seats on commercial aircraft.

The resumption of the Dubai–Prague connection is expected to play a key role in these efforts. Dubai has become the main transit point for many Czech travelers in the region, particularly those living or staying in the United Arab Emirates.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged people not to travel to the airport without confirmation of a seat. In a message posted on the social network X, he said the Czech consulate is coordinating passenger lists on site.

“Our consulate is directly organizing the boarding process. Citizens registered in the DROZD system and on the repatriation list are being placed on flights. Please do not go to the airport if you do not have a confirmed seat,” Babiš wrote.

The DROZD system, a voluntary registry for Czech citizens traveling abroad, currently lists about 5,800 Czech nationals in the Middle East, according to government data.

Foreign Minister Petr Macinka said the largest logistical challenge involves transporting people from the United Arab Emirates, where the highest number of Czech citizens in the region are currently located.

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