The second Government chartered flight to the UK from the Middle East has landed at London Gatwick Airport.
The repatriation flight, serviced by Titan Airways, landed at the airport just after 12.30am on Saturday.
It departed from Muscat International Airport in Oman at 5.33pm before a short layover in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.
The evacuees join some 6,500 Britons who have returned from the United Arab Emirates since widespread conflict began.
The first scheduled chartered flight from Oman was delayed by nearly 24 hours after technical issues.
One passenger on the flight told Sky as a “total s***show” and another, who gave his name as Mark, told the BBC it was a “complete shambles”.
More than 160,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK.
US Bombers have also now landed at the UK airbase RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Friday evening, after Sir Keir Starmer granted permission for “defensive” US action from UK bases, including Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands.
Families reuniting after the first repatriation flight
|
PA
The American 146ft B-1 Lancer is capable of carrying 24 cruise missiles.
Piloted by a crew of four the aircraft is the fastest bomber in the US Air Force’s arsenal, capable of hitting speeds more than 900mph, according to Boeing.
The bomber is outfitted with the latest technological advancement, including advanced radar and GPS systems, radar warnings, and electronic jammers.
It flew in from the Dyess Air Force Base, in Abilene, Texas, which is home to one of only two B-1 Lancer units in the US Air Force.
LATEST ON THE EVACUATION EFFORTS:
Sarah Short is greeted by her son Finn Howard after the first Government chartered repatriation flight from Muscat, Oman
|
PA
Britain’s defence mobilisation has been slowed, with air defence destroyer HMS Dragon not expected to set sail to the Mediterranean until next week.
France and Greece have already deployed military assets to defend Cyprus, the home of the sovereign base RAF Akrotiri, which was struck by a drone last week.
The delay has been attributed to the fact the destroyer is being outfitted to remain at sea for several months if required, rather than a short period.
Defence Secretary John Healey took a visit to RAF Akrotiri to meet his Cypriot counterpart, Vasilis Palmas.
Defence Secretary John Healey (left) met with Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas to discuss the two countries’ shared security
|
RETUERS
The two discussed how the UK will reinforce the base to support the two countries’ shared security.
In an interview with Sky News, Mr Healey declined to rule out UK aircraft taking part in strikes on Iran.
“As circumstances in any conflict change, you’ve got to be willing to adapt the action you take,” the Defence Secretary said.
He also struck back at claims made by Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch who described Britain’s response to the Iran war as “so slow”, adding that British jets were “just hanging around”.
Mr Healey said the Tory leader’s comments were insulting to Britain’s armed forces.
He said: “I saw how our British forces are working round the clock, in the face of repeated air raid sirens, to protect British lives and British interests.
“And to suggest they’re ‘just hanging around’ to score political points insults the men and women of our Armed Forces.
“She should apologise and withdraw her comments.”
