MSC Cruises chairman ‘immensely proud’ of collaboration in repatriation operation

MSC Cruises’ chairman has said he is “immensely proud” of the collaboration shown during its “highly complex repatriation operation” of passengers from Dubai.

The cruise line has now repatriated more than 1,500 passengers who were stuck on board MSC Euribia in the port of Dubai following the start of the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran on February 28.

Seven flights carrying those passengers departed the region this morning, including private charters by MSC, seats secured in partnership with Emirates and Fly Dubai on scheduled commercial services and government repatriation services.

Passengers have been repatriated to the UK, in addition to Italy, Germany, Spain, the US and Brazil.

Pierfrancesco Vago said: “I am immensely proud of how the whole company is coming together with this highly complex repatriation operation.

“Our ship command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner.

“We have received unparalleled support from our airline partner, Emirates as well as the regional and national governments who are supporting us to facilitate the necessary operational logistics and authorisation for the flights.

“We still have some guests on the ship, but we are working hard to secure their safe passage from the region.”