Supporting Workforce Evacuation During Regional Disruption in Iraq

When regional tensions escalated across Iraq and the wider Middle East, Kent required a coordinated approach to workforce evacuation. This case study explores how travel management, real-time visibility and close collaboration supported the safe relocation of more than 150 personnel.

The Situation

As regional tensions escalated across Iraq and the wider Middle East, Kent faced the urgent challenge of relocating personnel from an increasingly uncertain operating environment.

The requirement began as a precautionary drawdown of non-essential personnel ahead of the conflict involving Israel, the US and Iran, before developing into a wider workforce evacuation involving more than 150 personnel.

Travel conditions were increasingly complex. Flight availability was limited, routing options varied depending on nationality and visa eligibility, and arrangements were required at short notice across multiple borders and departure points.

Through Kent’s established travel programme with ATPI, traveller profiles and travel data provided visibility of employees in-country, in transit and due to travel, helping support planning and coordination as the situation evolved.

The Challenge

The evacuation required careful coordination across travel, HR, HSE and security teams while managing a fast-moving operational environment.
Initial support began in late February when Kent requested assistance to move non-essential personnel out of Iraq as a precautionary measure. With same-day travel requirements and limited airline availability, flights and transit accommodation needed to be secured quickly.

As the wider drawdown operation commenced in early March, the complexity increased. Personnel required different evacuation routes based on visa eligibility and border access, while travel plans needed to remain flexible to respond to changing operational conditions.
Maintaining accurate, real-time updates between all stakeholders was critical throughout the process.

The Response

ATPI worked alongside Kent’s travel, HR, HSE and security teams to support planning and coordinate personnel movements throughout the evacuation period.

An initial planning call was held in March to review available options and establish workable evacuation routes. From there, dedicated communication channels enabled regular status updates and live coordination between operational teams.

The first phase focused on the precautionary relocation of non-essential personnel. Despite limited availability and short lead times, flights and transit accommodation were secured and personnel departed on a range of available services to their home countries.

As the wider evacuation programme progressed, routing was coordinated according to visa eligibility and border access requirements.

Personnel eligible for visa-on-arrival access travelled via Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, supported by coordinated accommodation, onward ground transportation and international departures.

Alternative routes were arranged via Turkey for personnel unable to transit through Kuwait. These journeys involved coordinated land movements, overnight accommodation where required and onward flights from regional airports based on the nearest available capacity.

Throughout the operation, travel teams worked extended hours and maintained regular communication with Kent and operational stakeholders to provide updates on traveller movements and support decision-making at key stages of the evacuation.

The Challenge

Over a seven-day period, more than 150 personnel were successfully evacuated from Iraq through multiple international routes despite limited flight availability, changing border requirements and heightened regional instability.

The operation enabled Kent to maintain visibility of personnel movements while supporting safe relocation and continuous communication throughout the evacuation process.

Kent formally recognised the collaborative effort involved, highlighting the responsiveness, flexibility and operational support provided during the evacuation.

As Kent Global Travel Manager Eugene Quiamco noted: “Your responsiveness, flexibility, and willingness to work extended hours to arrange visas, transport, hotels, and flights, and to continuously monitor movements, have been critical to the success of this operation.”

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