Qantas to operate 2 evacuation flights from Cyprus to Sydney

[jakeseven7]

QANTAS TO OPERATE NON-STOP ASSISTED DEPARTURE FLIGHTS FOR AUSTRALIANS RETURNING FROM LEBANON​

Qantas will operate two non-stop flights between Cyprus and Sydney, to help Australians in Lebanon get home on behalf of the Australian Government.

The flights will be operated using a Qantas Boeing 787 and will be able to carry up to 440 Australians back home.

The first service is expected to depart Larnaca in Cyprus on Monday evening (local time), arriving in Sydney on Tuesday.

The second direct Dreamliner service is expected to depart on Wednesday.

The national carrier will operate these assisted-departure flights free of charge for the Australian Government, with no cost to those travelling on the flight. The airline is working to obtain the necessary approvals.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is coordinating registration for Australians wanting to return home.

Qantas has called for pilots and cabin crew to nominate their interest in operating the flights. This is expected to be oversubscribed as it was with the special assistance flights from Tel Aviv in October 2023, when 900 cabin crew expressed their interest for 70 positions.

These assisted-departure flights will impact some customers booked to travel on our international network, and customers are being contacted directly with alternative travel arrangements. We’re working to minimise the impact as much as possible and appreciate their understanding.

ADVICE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Australians who want to leave Lebanon via Cyprus should register at DFAT’s Crisis Portal. If you have already registered with DFAT you do not need to register again.

For urgent consular assistance, Australians should continue to call the Australian Government’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia).

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-to-operate-non-stop-assisted-departure-flights-for-australians-returning-from-lebanon/

Live: Qantas to run two free flights from Cyprus to Sydney to evacuate Australians, foreign minister says

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has released a statement confirming the flights will be free of charge, with vulnerable passengers prioritised. Two government-supported charter flights carrying up to 500 passengers will depart the Lebanese capital Beirut for Cyprus tomorrow.

www.abc.net.au

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-plans-rescue-flights-from-cyprus-to-bring-australians-home-from-danger-zone/news-story/277e85b293f42d7f3e1c8deaaa90f759?amp&nk=746338581d88a769f559ed473543d26d-1728028767

 

[Cloud9]

Free of charge for those who, with any sense, would have already left...

...I go off Qantas a little bit more by the day.

 

[jrfsp]

Let’s not forgot the gov also chartered QF to evacuate Australians out of TLV.
I would have thought RAAF A330s would be better suited to these type of missions though - not sure why they don’t get used in this capacity

 

[Saab34]

Looks like Sundays LHR-PER is cancelled and will no doubt ferry to Cyprus to conduct the flight back. I don’t think they are flying the 787 to Beirut as another article mentioned.

 

[yachty]

Free of charge for those who, with any sense, would have already left...

...I go off Qantas a little bit more by the day.

Isn't that the government's decision, not Qantas?

 

[Cloud9]

Isn't that the government's decision, not Qantas?

Have the government said they'll cover the cost?

And frankly, as a taxpayer, even if they do, why the bloody hell should tax money be used to repatriate private citizens?

 

[jakeseven7]

Free of charge for those who, with any sense, would have already left...

Wowww umm ok sure thing

 

[kpc]

"National Carrier"

 

[jb747]

I don’t get this. You’d complain if they didn’t go, and you’re complaining because they are?

 

[elanshin]

Let’s not forgot the gov also chartered QF to evacuate Australians out of TLV.
I would have thought RAAF A330s would be better suited to these type of missions though - not sure why they don’t get used in this capacity

They're likely not configured for passengers.

Have the government said they'll cover the cost?

And frankly, as a taxpayer, even if they do, why the bloody hell should tax money be used to repatriate private citizens?

Because oftentimes you actually have no commercial option to get out and without the government sending in repatriation flights you're stuck.

 

[markis10]

Let’s not forgot the gov also chartered QF to evacuate Australians out of TLV.
I would have thought RAAF A330s would be better suited to these type of missions though - not sure why they don’t get used in this capacity

They do get used where it makes sense, last year they used the MRTTs for evacuations out of Israel to the Middle East, in addition to the C17s, however they don’t have the legs to do a hop back to Australia non stop.

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They're likely not configured for passengers.

Because oftentimes you actually have no commercial option to get out and without the government sending in repatriation flights you're stuck.

Given many of them still have the Qf cabin they are very much capable in lifting 200+ passengers, in fact the KC-30A is capable of carrying 270 passengers. It comes with under-floor cargo compartments which can accommodate 34,000 kilograms of military and civilian cargo pallets and containers, where it makes sense.

 

[jase05]

Wowww umm ok sure thing

Yesterday the Australian government secured 80 seats out of BEY but only 41 people took up the offer.
I would hope that everyone would be getting out ASAP and this has been on the cards for sometime unfortunately so o hope people don’t leave it too late

 

[Cloud9]

They're likely not configured for passengers.

Because oftentimes you actually have no commercial option to get out and without the government sending in repatriation flights you're stuck.

Well... they still have to get to Cyprus. So... erm... definitely options from there.

 

[elanshin]

Well... they still have to get to Cyprus. So... erm... definitely options from there.

Yes. There are boat ferries.

Im sure QF would've landed into Beirut if they weren't in an active military zone atm.

 

[Cloud9]

Yes. There are boat ferries.

Im sure QF would've landed into Beirut if they weren't in an active military zone atm.

My point is there are options for them to pay their way.

I see absolutely no reason we should be footing the bill as taxpayers for private citizens to be returned from a safe country (Cyprus).

 

[Lynda2475]

So which travelers not disobeying government travel advice are going to have their plans upset whilst QF reroute planes for these evacuations? QF dont have spare dreamliners just sitting around.

The official travel advice has been to leave and not travel to Israel, Lebanon and Palestine for a year now. Not really sure why tax payers should be funding evacuations for those who disregarded this advice for 12 months.

I don’t get this. You’d complain if they didn’t go, and you’re complaining because they are?

I have no problem leaving people who make poor decisions to suffer the consequences of such.

This isn't a case of an unforeseen natural disaster or unforeseen conflict. This situation has been predicted and slowly building for a year.

It is simply selfishness/arrogance that they have done nothing to leave when there were ample commerical options over the last 12 months; then expect taxpayers to rescue them. The affected are mostly dual citizens who live there and dont pay taxes here.

If Aus government assistance is provided it should be limited to get them to nearest safe country airport; where they can purchase their own onward travel arrangements. TI isnt going to cover it because TI doesn't cover travel to countries with official government warnings, which again comes back to poor decision making.

I also dont support the government helping when idiots who dont hold a motorcycle license or are uninsured have accidents in Bali etc and need medivac. If you cant afford/get insurance you cant afford to travel. And no one else is responsible if you choose to break the law or act irrationally or disregard travel warnings.

 

[Cloud9]

...

Well said!

 

[jrfsp]

Well... they still have to get to Cyprus. So... erm... definitely options from there.

The charter will be flying from BEY, via Larnaca - presumably for a crew change, fuel or other operational reasons

 

[Cloud9]

The charter will be flying from BEY, via Larnaca - presumably for a crew change, fuel or other operational reasons

Well, if they're lucky, maybe the plane will make it back in one piece, then...

 

[kpc]

I see absolutely no reason we should be footing the bill as taxpayers for private citizens to be returned from a safe country (Cyprus).

I agree with your sentiment but is is a bad look for the Australian government when its citizens are likely to be killed by missiles from another government that they are supporting and saying they have a right to defend themselves.