Sir Keir Stormer said more than 1,000 British nationals had returned to the UK on commercial flights from the Middle East.
An estimated 300,000 Britons are believed to be in affected areas of the Middle East as the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes enter their fifth day.
Thousands of flights have been canceled since the US-Israeli joint operation against Iran began on Saturday, but some airlines are now operating from the region again.
Follow the latest updates on the conflict with Iran
Here’s what you need to know.
What is the latest travel advice for the affected areas – and what flights are operating?
The Foreign Office advises against all essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE, and against any travel to Israel and Palestine.
You can find the latest travel advice for all Middle Eastern countries by visiting Govt website.
Days after the cancellation, airlines appeared to be increasing the number of flights from the Middle East to Britain, with over a thousand British nationals returning to the UK from the UAE on commercial flights on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Emirates is expected to operate seven flights from Dubai to the UK while Etihad plans two Abu Dhabi departures.
Virgin Atlantic said it will operate flights from Dubai to London Heathrow.
British Airways said it would operate the flight from Oman’s Muscat International Airport early Thursday morning local time and allocate seats on a “first-come, first-served basis”.
In a statement to Sky News, BA confirmed further flights from Muscat to London Heathrow are scheduled for March 6 and 7 for customers with existing bookings in Oman or the UAE.
Those wishing to make one of these flights should call BA on its dedicated phone line at +44 203 467 3854.
The first flights return to the UK
The Prime Minister told MPs on Wednesday that flights carrying “more than 1,000 British nationals” had returned from the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday – and more flights from the region were scheduled for the coming hours.
Eight flights were set to leave the UAE on Wednesday, while the first charter flight from Oman was expected to leave two more “in the coming days”, Mr Stormer said.
The Foreign Office said its first charter flight would leave Oman’s Muscat International Airport at 11pm local time (7pm UK time) on Wednesday, with priority given to the most vulnerable people.
Flights are available to British citizens, their partners and children under 18 with a valid travel document. Dependents who are not British citizens require a valid visa or permit to enter or be granted leave for more than three months.
People have been asked not to travel to the airport unless contacted by authorities.
Area yachts are also affected
There are reports of thousands of cruise passengers stranded in Dubai and Doha as at least six cruises are unable to depart.
According to travel portal HostelTour, cruises have reportedly been ordered to stay in areas deemed safe until new shipping routes are determined.
MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises and Celestial Cruises are reported to be the affected cruise liners.
Who needs to register their presence abroad?
As US President Donald Trump The Foreign Office is urging British nationals in Middle Eastern countries to register their presence as the conflict with Iran deepens, saying the attacks will last between four and five weeks.
According to the Secretary of State Yvette Cooper130,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East with the Foreign Office as officials work on contingency plans, including a possible mass evacuation.
Here is the list of countries where you need to register your presence:
• Bahrain
• Israel
• Kuwait
• Palestine
• Qatar
• United Arab Emirates
You can tell the government that you are in these countries through its website.
Could there be a mass evacuation?
Sky News understands UK authorities are working on plans for potential routes to evacuate tens of thousands of people as airspace in the Gulf remains off-limits.
Before revealing the return of more than 1,000 British nationals to MPs in the Commons on Wednesday, Sir Keir had said earlier this week that the UK government was “looking at all options to support our people”.
Responding to a question in Parliament on Monday about contingency plans for UK nationals, Sir Keir said: “The Government is working swiftly with our partners in the region to ensure that our people can return safely and as quickly as possible, and we will continue to do so.”
Urban Conyngham, research fellow and course lead at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told Sky News that if the UK government went ahead with a full evacuation, it would be “the biggest evacuation since the Second World War”.
“Due to the sheer scale of the numbers involved, it is highly unlikely that the UK Government will choose to initiate this process unless there is no other option,” he said.
Read more:
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Mr Conyngham added: “If this evacuation takes place, it will be one of the most complex and expensive consular efforts in UK history.
“The UK authorities want to have plans for worst-case scenarios as soon as possible to avoid high costs in crisis situations.”
Sky News has contacted the Foreign Office and Downing Street for comment.
