Chaos for Brits as first chartered flight fails to take off: LIVE

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First flights carrying European nationals out of the Middle East arrive

Spanish nationals, who are trapped in the Middle East amid the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran, board a military repatriation flight at an unknown location in Oman, in this handout photo released March 4, 2026. Spanish Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
Spanish nationals, who are trapped in the Middle East amid the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran, wait to board a military repatriation flight at an unknown location in Oman, in this handout photo released March 4, 2026. Spanish Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

As the Middle East conflict reaches its sixth day, the first planes carrying Europeans back home have begun touching down across the continent.

Overnight, a military flight brought Spanish nationals back from Oman, marking one of the initial repatriation efforts.

Austria's Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger assists passengers to disembark upon the arrival of a charter plane carrying Austrian nationals evacuated from Muscat, at Vienna International Airport, on March 4, 2026. More relieved passengers arrived home from the Gulf region on March 4 as further flights resumed five days into the war triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran. (Photo by MAX SLOVENCIK / APA / AFP via Getty Images) / Austria OUT

Upon landing at Vienna International Airport, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger was present to welcome citizens returning from Muscat on a chartered flight.
A Lufthansa plane from Muscat, Oman, the first evacuation flight on behalf of the German government, lands at Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt/Main, Germany Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Hannes P. Albert/dpa via AP)
A young couple speaks to the media as they arrive from Muscat, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, March 5, 2026. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

In Germany, a Lufthansa plane, part of the German government’s evacuation initiative, successfully arrived at Frankfurt Airport from Muscat.

The flight from Abu Dhabi with passengers returned to Italy arrives at Fiumicino Airport, in Rome, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP)
The flight from Abu Dhabi with passengers returning to Italy arrives at Fiumicino Airport, in Rome, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Valentina Stefanelli/LaPresse via AP)

In Italy, a flight from Abu Dhabi landed at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, where passengers were seen reuniting joyously with their families.