Qantas to operate evacuation flights from Lebanon via Cyprus to Sydney

[GarrettM]

To where? It's maxxing out at around $25k for a BEY-SYD on Google Flights for the next few days. Cheapest is $23k. Crazy stuff.

View attachment 409484

Regardless of price they might not get much more time.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1841959051225133317

 

[tgh]

they might not get much more time

Media and guvmn't have been telling them to leave for weeks
Now taxpayers are footing the rescue bill… fore witch cmo...

 

[Lynda2475]

Media and guvmn't have been telling them to leave for weeks

Make that 12 months, recommendation was to not travel to the region since the initial troubles a year ago.

The issue is heaps of these actually live overseas and dont pay any taxes here, but have Aus Citizenship so they can have an escape plan at no personal cost. If you havent paid tax in Aus in he previous year, you should have to fund your own way home.

Anyone with a brain would have left as soon as the conflict started.

Now taxpayers are footing the rescue bill… fore witch cmo...

Anyone who departed Australia to travel to Israel, Palestine or Lebanon in last 12 months chose to travel to a war zone, it is so selfish to expect tax payers to bail them out for a poor decision.

 

[Pushka]

Many actually live there

My son lives in the UK. I wouldn’t expect the tax payer to fund his return to Australia if something broke out in UK.

 

[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.

 

[Lynda2475]

We were talking about this yesterday, some people shocked that people had flown in over the last few months and not out. I explained a scenario as if Mr Denali's parents were there (theyre Greek but as a migrant example), we would feel obliged to fly Mr Denali in to bring his parents home and Im sure some people that are stuck there did similar.

But they have had a year to do so. Ignoring official advice until there are no other options but a tax payer funded evacuation is just selfish.

 

[Pushka]

We were talking about this yesterday, some people shocked that people had flown in over the last few months and not out. I explained a scenario as if Mr Denali's parents were there (theyre Greek but as a migrant example), we would feel obliged to fly Mr Denali in to bring his parents home and Im sure some people that are stuck there did similar.

But I wouldn't think the tax payer feels so obliged to your parents with so many warnings issued.

 

[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

 

[Quickstatus]

My son lives in the UK. I wouldn’t expect the tax payer to fund his return to Australia if something broke out in UK.

All this has happened before over in Lebanon in 2006. Those with Aus citizenship who have permanent residency in Lebanon were required to contribute to the cost of flights -( basically those who lived there) Some did, many didnt. Eventually the debt was written off.

At the time the initial Evac would be to the nearest safe haven (Cyprus/Türkiye) and from there the cost borne by the individual

Ignoring official advice until there are no other options but a tax payer funded evacuation is just selfish.

Past history (2006) tells these evacuees they will be flown out FOC. Again the taxpayer taken for a ride.

Now Aus govt has asked QF to operate flights Cyprus to AU (FOC for evacuees).

 

[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.

 

[prozac]

All this has happened before over in Lebanon in 2006. Those with Aus citizenship who have permanent residency in Lebanon were required to contribute to the cost of flights -( basically those who lived there) Some did, many didnt. Eventually the debt was written off.

At the time the initial Evac would be to the nearest safe haven (Cyprus/Türkiye) and from there the cost borne by the individual


Past history (2006) tells these evacuees they will be flown out FOC. Again the taxpayer taken for a ride.

Now Aus govt has asked QF to operate flights Cyprus to AU (FOC for evacuees).

FM already confirmed free

 

[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.

Post automatically merged: Oct 4, 2024

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