\nEmergency response trainer Ricominoroy Pornamah (left) hugging his wife, Madam Norislinda Mohamad Esah, at Changi Airport on March 7, as his family members and grandchildren welcome him home.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Passengers were greeted with applause and cheers of \u201cwelcome back\u201d and colourful posters raised to welcome them home. <\/p>\n
Ms Nina Zafar said that her younger sister Zehra Zafar and six-year-old niece were on the flight after travelling from Dubai, where they reside.<\/p>\n
Ms Nina, 50, said she had been fearful after hearing about the outbreak of conflict in the region, adding: \u201cThey were hearing missiles (being) intercepted and all that, so they have been living through pretty much hell.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amid the uncertainty, Ms Zehra had decided to return to Singapore with her daughter. <\/p>\n
They took a 13-hour bus journey from Dubai to Oman on March 6 and stayed in a hotel ballroom in Muscat for one night before taking the March 7 flight. <\/p>\n
Travelling from Dubai to Oman would usually take about six hours by car, Ms Zehra said, but many people were trying to leave the region through Oman.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very long journey, but it was very well planned,\u201d said the 37-year-old nursery teacher, adding that she and her daughter were well taken care of and provided with food. \u201cWe never felt uncomfortable. And there was no fear.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added that the calm environment was especially helpful for those with children, as she did not want her daughter to feel scared.<\/p>\n
Shortly after the flight landed, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong thanked Singapore\u2019s public service officers in a Facebook post, adding that they are \u201cworking hard under challenging conditions to ensure the safety and security of Singaporeans\u201d. <\/p>\n
Apart from officers across ministries and agencies, the effort involved diplomatic officers in overseas missions and the flight crew, and \u201ceveryone who has been working round the clock to help Singaporeans return home safely\u201d, he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur thoughts remain with those whose loved ones have not yet returned.\u201d<\/p>\n
The national carrier will operate a second flight from Muscat to Singapore on March 8. The repatriation flights are meant for Singaporeans in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, where 60 per cent of citizens who have registered with the MFA are located.<\/p>\n\n\nPassengers on Singapore Airlines Flight SQ8001 from Muscat, Oman, hugging their loved ones at Changi Airport on March 7.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The Government continues to explore ways to bring Singaporeans who are still in the region back home. <\/p>\n
It is planning another repatriation flight for Singaporeans and their dependants from Saudi Arabia \u2013 from the capital Riyadh or Jeddah, its second-largest city \u2013 between March 10 and 12. <\/p>\n
The date and time are subject to flight approvals and the ground situation, and details will be confirmed later. <\/p>\n\n\nEmotions spilling over at Changi Airport on March 7, as passengers from Singapore Airlines Flight SQ8001 from Muscat, Oman, are reunited with their loved ones.<\/p>\n
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
In a message to Singaporeans to indicate interest in the flight, MFA said that overland transport from other places such as Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and other parts of Saudi Arabia will be available to take Singaporeans to the flight location. <\/p>\n
Separate arrangements will be made for Singaporeans in Jordan to the decided point of embarkation, it said.<\/p>\n
In a Facebook post on March 7, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said he had spoken with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the escalating situation in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
He said that officials from both countries have been working closely together to ensure Singaporeans remain safe as well as to facilitate arrangements for those who wish to return home. <\/p>\n
He thanked Sheik Mohamed and the UAE authorities for their support and assistance to Singaporeans living there.<\/p>\n
A protracted conflict in the Middle East will have serious consequences for the world, he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope that all parties will find ways to de-escalate and restore stability to the region. <\/p>\n
\u201cSingapore values our close friendship with the UAE, and stands in solidarity with the UAE and its people during this challenging time.\u201d<\/p>\n