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23 February 2011
Last updated at 10:15 ET
Foreign Secretary William Hague says the government will send "as many planes as necessary" to bring Britons home from Libya.
It comes amid growing criticism of the speed of its response to the violent uprising in the North African country.
The first of possibly three planes is en route to Tripoli and 122 Britons have signed up for a seat on it.
Mr Hague said there were 300 Britons in the Tripoli area, and 170 British oil workers in the desert.
He said the workers were in a "perilous and frightening" situation and Britain was working with other countries to ensure their safety.
The first charter, operated by Astraeus Airlines, left Gatwick airport at 1230 GMT. The second flight is due to take off later on Wednesday and a third will leave on Thursday morning if it is needed.
He said sending in military planes without permission would risk the safety of all those involved.
Mr Hague said the Foreign Office had deployed several rapid response teams to the country, and there were 50 people in the London office taking calls from Britons.
Foreign Office staff are at Tripoli airport and they have been registering Britons for the flights, as well as handing out food and water.
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in the first flight - which has room for 200 passengers - should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.
It comes amid growing criticism of the speed of its response to the violent uprising in the North African country.
The first of possibly three planes is en route to Tripoli and 122 Britons have signed up for a seat on it.
Mr Hague said there were 300 Britons in the Tripoli area, and 170 British oil workers in the desert.
He said the workers were in a "perilous and frightening" situation and Britain was working with other countries to ensure their safety.
The first charter, operated by Astraeus Airlines, left Gatwick airport at 1230 GMT. The second flight is due to take off later on Wednesday and a third will leave on Thursday morning if it is needed.
He said sending in military planes without permission would risk the safety of all those involved.
Mr Hague said the Foreign Office had deployed several rapid response teams to the country, and there were 50 people in the London office taking calls from Britons.
Foreign Office staff are at Tripoli airport and they have been registering Britons for the flights, as well as handing out food and water.
UK nationals wishing to register an interest in the first flight - which has room for 200 passengers - should call the following numbers: 020 7008 0000 from the UK or 021 3403644/45.
Have you been affected? Do you have relatives in Libya? Send us your comments.