The Swedish government has chartered a plane from Dubai to bring home 180 vulnerable Swedes stranded in the Middle East due to the conflict. Travelers must pay via Swish immediately to secure seats, drawing criticism as a class issue. One of them, Benjamin, has Swished over 50,000 kronor without confirmation yet.
The conflict in the Middle East, triggered by Israeli and US attacks on Iran last weekend, has led to closed airspaces and canceled flights, stranding thousands of Swedes in the region, including at least 4,300 in the United Arab Emirates. On Friday, the Foreign Ministry (UD) announced a chartered plane with space for 180 people to evacuate particularly vulnerable individuals, such as the sick, those with medical needs, and families with children, arriving in Sweden on Sunday morning.
The price is 12,000 kronor per adult and 9,000 kronor per child, with free travel for children under two years. According to UD's email, obtained by Aftonbladet, payment is via Swish immediately after preliminary confirmation: "Payment must be made immediately after preliminary confirmation, otherwise the booking will be offered to someone else." The principle is first come, first served based on payment time.
Benjamin, who has been in Dubai for several weeks and was supposed to be home four days ago, is one of those offered a spot. He Swished over 50,000 kronor for his group of adults and children but has not received confirmation on Friday evening. His bank suspected fraud and required proof before raising the limit after a one-hour call. The amount equals three times the cost of the entire trip, and the family is out over 100,000 kronor for canceled flights. "I just want to get my children home," says Benjamin, noting that countries like Serbia and Italy evacuated citizens for free five days ago.
Many stranded question the quick payment requirement. "It has become a class issue. If you have money and the ability, you buy the ticket. But not all families with children have that option unfortunately," says Benjamin. Meanwhile, charter companies like TUI, Apollo, and Ving are working on their own solutions; Ving is chartering a plane for 300 Nordic travelers from the Maldives via Phuket to Copenhagen, which they are funding. Artist Martin 'E-type' Erikson, stranded in Dubai during recording, is now home via a detour through Mexico and Barcelona, and expresses relief: "We just landed at Arlanda."
