'Disappointing' footage of half-empty flights carrying Australian citizens from the Middle East sparks government response

The federal government said it is "really disappointing" that repatriation flights from Dubai to Australia are sitting half empty, as thousands of stranded citizens wait desperately for their ticket out of the Middle Eastern warzone.

Several planeloads carrying hundreds of passengers on Etihad and Emirates flights have now safely returned to Melbourne and Sydney since fighting began.

Emotional reunions unfolded at arrival gates as relieved and weary travellers touched down on Australian soil, however some passengers have now claimed the "ghost flights" had plenty of free seats.

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Around 270 people were on board an Emirates flight arriving in Melbourne at 6am today, which is half the plane's usual capacity.

An Etihad flight with spare seats from Abu Dhabi also touched down in Sydney yesterday about 9.30am.

Passengers reported seeing row after row of spare seats as they boarded the relief flight, despite Wong's assurance that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was working with commercial carriers to bring Australians home.

There are around 24,000 Australians still in the UAE.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government would work with carriers to ensure "every seat [is] filled".

"That is really disappointing and I'm disappointed with that," Wong told reporters today.

"So we are seeking to work even more closely with the airlines to try and coordinate that.

"We know that people are very stressed – can I assure you we are working as hard as we can around the clock, including with the airlines and the governments to try and get people home as quickly as possible."

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A spokesperson for Emirates declined to comment on passenger numbers but said around 100 flights were scheduled to depart and return to Dubai today and yesterday.

"Emirates will continue to gradually build back its flying schedule, subject to airspace availability and all operational requirements being met," the spokesperson said.

"Safety is always our top priority."

Nine.com.au has contacted Etihad Airlines for comment.

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