MSC Cruises has started repatriating cruise ship guests stranded in the Middle East.
It started the first of five charter flights to evacuate around 1,000 guests on MSC Euribia in Dubai.
All five flights are expected to take off by the weekend.
For all the remaining passengers, it is exploring additional charter flights or commercial services.
“In parallel, MSC Cruises is pursuing every available pathway for the remaining guests, including commercial flights, more charter options and coordinated government-assisted solutions,” MSC said.
“MSC Cruises has been working on the safest and quickest way to repatriate our guests and has taken decisive action.”
The cruise line announced it has cancelled the season’s remaining three Arabian Gulf cruises from Dubai.
There are currently six ships operated by MSC Cruises, Celestyal Cruises, TUI Cruises and Aroya Cruises stuck in the Gulf, carrying thousands of guests.
Celestyal Cruises also confirmed its remaining winter Gulf cruises are cancelled.
Since the conflict began a week ago, nearly 20,000 scheduled flights have been cancelled.
