Vilmantas Vitkauskas, a Lithuanian official, addressed journalists at the Seimas regarding the ongoing plans for evacuation flights from the Middle East, particularly focusing on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He highlighted that the UAE presents an ideal location for these operations due to the significant number of vulnerable individuals currently located there, estimated at 28 people. Vitkauskas noted that while the list of evacuees is slowly increasing, they are still exploring potential options for direct flights from the UAE, although no formal proposals had been received as of that moment.

In discussing alternative routes, Vitkauskas mentioned Oman as a viable option for evacuation logistics. He explained the necessity of assessing the feasibility of travel from the UAE to Oman, which involves a considerable distance of over 400 kilometers and an estimated six-hour bus ride, plus border crossing processes. If evacuees are willing to undertake the journey, there would be a possibility of organizing flights from Muscat, the capital of Oman. This dual approach to potential evacuation reflects a proactive strategy in ensuring those in vulnerable positions can be rescued efficiently.

Vitkauskas described the current status of the UAE's airspace as dynamic, emphasizing that they aim to orchestrate the evacuation flight in the upcoming days, possibly as soon as tomorrow or the day after. This urgency illustrates the critical nature of the situation and the Lithuanian government's commitment to facilitating the safe return of its citizens and others who are at risk in the Middle East. Given the evolving circumstances, the authorities are keen on making swift decisions to coordinate the logistics involved in these evacuation operations.