National

Chartered flights and buses helping to get Canadians out of the Middle East: Anand

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2026 10:17 AM

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Friday a chartered flight is set to take 180 Canadians fleeing the Middle East war zone from Dubai to Istanbul on Saturday.

Anand said the flight will operate on a cost-recovery basis.

The government has also block-booked about 50 seats each on a few Air Arabia flights for Canadians travelling from Dubai to Istanbul.

The minister said the government also booked 51 seats for Canadians on an Emirates flight leaving Dubai for Toronto on Saturday, and 200 seats on four separate flights from Beirut to Istanbul in the coming days.

The minister added that roughly 325 seats on commercial flights had been secured already for Canadians by diplomatic staff in Beirut.

"We are aware that Canadians have been making their own arrangements, with some choosing ground transportation. I want to reiterate that any ground transportation carries risk," Anand said.

Anand also said evacuation by sea is "especially dangerous" right now. She said her team is working on getting "all options" on the table to help Canadians who need assistance leaving the region.

Anand said that the ministry is working to ensure Canadians looking to return home with an expired passport will be able to get an emergency travel document. She said anyone in need of an emergency document should contact local Canadian consular officials.

Anand also confirmed during Friday's virtual news conference that Canada has four chartered buses with a total of 180 seats that will leave Qatar for Saudi Arabia beginning Saturday.

Anand said more than 108,000 Canadians in Iran have registered with Global Affairs Canada, and about 3,500 of them have asked for help to get out of the region.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

CBSA self-service kiosks outage resolved after causing delays at customs in airports

Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon said the government was closely monitoring the issue and urged travellers to check their flight status on the airline's website before going to the airport.

CBSA self-service kiosks outage resolved after causing delays at customs in airports

Voting on tentative deal ends for Alberta teachers a week before strike deadline

Union president Jason Schilling says teachers aren't taking the vote lightly, as a strike would disrupt classes for over 700,000 students.

Voting on tentative deal ends for Alberta teachers a week before strike deadline

U.S. outdoor school modifies coastal B.C. camping application following outcry

Hugh Braker, a member of the First Nations Summit executive team, was among the First Nations leaders who expressed concerns about the plan. He told The Canadian Press earlier this month that he worried about allowing outsiders to access to the remote areas, citing both environmental and political concerns.

U.S. outdoor school modifies coastal B.C. camping application following outcry

Carney returns to Canada from U.K. trip of meetings and rugby

The Conservatives have been critical of Carney's frequent foreign trips, saying that they aren't generating tangible outcomes and the prime minister should be more focused on domestic issues like crime and affordability.

Carney returns to Canada from U.K. trip of meetings and rugby

'Stand with us': Indigenous artists tapped by big companies for Orange Shirt Day

Non-Indigenous corporations and companies have also collaborated with Indigenous artists to develop T-shirts for the day, with proceeds going to Indigenous organizations.

'Stand with us': Indigenous artists tapped by big companies for Orange Shirt Day

Ottawa lists the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity, as India ties deepen

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the designation in a news release issued early Monday morning, saying it will help Canadian security, intelligence and police agencies.