US charter evacuation flights from Middle East less than half full: State Department

WASHINGTON, DC: The United States Department of State said that most of its charter evacuation flights out of the Middle East are operating at less than half capacity, indicating many American citizens are either making their own travel arrangements or choosing to remain in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, March 10, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said the number of seats available on government-organized flights significantly exceeds demand.

“At this time, seats available on the Department’s charter options are significantly greater than the demand from Americans in the region,” Johnson said. “Many Americans continue to depart on commercial options,” he added.

Demand for charter flights remains low: State Department

Johnson said that despite being offered to Americans requesting assistance, the charter flights have largely gone underused. “State Department charter flights continue to operate with less than 40% occupancy on average,” he said.

According to Johnson, many Americans who initially sought assistance later declined the government travel option. 

“Most Americans who have requested assistance have declined assistance when offered, opting either to remain in the country or book more convenient commercial flight options,” he said.

The State Department has not released detailed figures on how many charter flights have been organized, how many Americans have boarded them, or which countries they departed from.

However, Johnson said the department has completed “over two dozen charter flights,” evacuating thousands of Americans from the region.

More than 40,000 Americans have returned to the US since February

The State Department also said its task force has been providing extensive support to US citizens overseas.

As of Tuesday, March 10, officials said the department had directly assisted more than 27,000 Americans abroad by offering security guidance and travel assistance.

Johnson added that more than 40,000 US citizens have returned to the United States from the Middle East since February 28, citing data from the United States Department of Homeland Security

That figure includes Americans who left the region through their own travel arrangements in addition to those who used government assistance.

UAE says air defenses intercept Iranian missiles, drones

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense said Tuesday that the country’s air defense systems had intercepted eight ballistic missiles and 26 drones launched by Iran.

Another Iranian missile fell into the sea, the ministry said. Officials reported that of 35 drones detected during the attacks, 26 were intercepted while nine fell within United Arab Emirates territory.

Since the start of what the ministry described as overt Iranian attacks, authorities said 262 ballistic missiles have been detected, with 241 destroyed, 19 falling into the sea and two landing on UAE soil.

The ministry also said 1,475 Iranian drones have been detected since the attacks began, with 1,385 intercepted and 90 crashing within UAE territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed. According to officials, the strikes have killed at least six people in the UAE and wounded more than 120 others.