Qantas, Virgin, Qatar called to assist with Israel repatriation flights

[Lynda2475]

Thanks - was also referring to the ones mentioned by Penny Wong by the RAAF out of the Al Minhad Airbase in the UEA.

Deputy PM confirmed Radio Interview, ABC AM | Defence Ministers "There where were 255 Australians who left on three flights yesterday. Two of those were Air Force flights, one chartered, all heading to Dubai. There were actually empty seats on the flights, and so we would really encourage Australians who are in Israel now, who want to leave, to take the options that are being made available to them."


ON the late news last night reporter was talking with a number of Australians in Israel wanting to leave who had expressed concerned that now that the commercials flights to London were cancelled they were not keen to fly home via Dubai. As stated up thread Israelis usually avoid ME transits.

 

[justinbrett]

Deputy PM confirmed Radio Interview, ABC AM | Defence Ministers "There where were 255 Australians who left on three flights yesterday. Two of those were Air Force flights, one chartered, all heading to Dubai. There were actually empty seats on the flights, and so we would really encourage Australians who are in Israel now, who want to leave, to take the options that are being made available to them."


ON the late news last night reporter was talking with a number of Australians in Israel wanting to leave who had expressed concerned that now that the commercials flights to London were cancelled they were not keen to fly home via Dubai. As stated up thread Israelis usually avoid ME transits.

Australian nationals have nothing to fear flying RAAF through Al Minhad - aside from the fact UAE & Israel have a pretty good relationship these days, the immigration at Al Minhad is not like Dubai International, it’s a military base and they would have Australian personnel supervising the entire process. In addition to the RAAF there will also be DFAT personnel and/or embassy staff on hand to assist with any issues.

The UAE and Australia have a very strong strategic relationship.

 

[muppet]

… As stated up thread Israelis usually avoid ME transits.

These are Australians travelling on Australian passports though. (Irrespetive of improved Israel / UAE relations)

 

[Must...Fly!]

The UAE is entirely safe for Israelis and indeed Jews. There is even a synagogue in Abu Dhabi now.

 

[Lynda2475]

These are Australians travelling on Australian passports though.

Most would be dual citizens.

Those interviewed on news last night said were reluctant to go via UAE and would prefer evacuation to somewhere in UK/EU. The fact last night flights were not full and the foreign minister needed to mention they need to take the UAE option would seem to support this.

Whilst they may see the RAAF base as being safe, the need to transfer to commercial flights out of DBX to get the rest of the way home seemed to be the concern of some.

 

[justinbrett]

Surely not as concerning as their present situation

 

[Lynda2475]

Perhaps not, but I merely reported what was said, their distrust was real for them.

 

[jrfsp]

Looks like QR were chartered to fly repatriation from DWC to SYD
(seems slightly ironic)

 

[RooFlyer]

I would honestly be incredulous if any Australian, presently in Israel or Gaza and offered a free flight out to somewhere safer, actually said to the effect "I don't want to transit Dubai - when is the next free flight to London?". If so, I hope the reply was "No worries - you just wait there on the tarmac, one will be along any minute ..."

Looks like QR were chartered to fly repatriation from DWC to SYD
(seems slightly ironic)

Possibly this (possibly projected?)?

 

[Lynda2475]

Looks like QR were chartered to fly repatriation from DWC to SYD
(seems slightly ironic)

Disgusting if true, our government should not be chartering services from known supporters of terrorism.

Reports however seem to indicate extra Qantas flight from London and an Emirates flight from Dubai.

'Every boom, you feel it': Australians describe Israel terror amid emotional airport reunions

www.9news.com.au

 

[milehighclub]

There is a Qantas 380 going through Dubai soon to bring people home

 

[RooFlyer]

Qatar Airlines flying 300 pax from Dubai to Sydney, arriving tonight, and then Virgin is flying them on to home ports. Reporting in the Australian on-line.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/world/israel-at-war-mideast-on-knife-edge-ahead-of-assault/live-coverage/f7922068bc06aa93c4902478e49d5f54#118989

Qatar would not comment on its plans. It is believed that Qatar is flying the Australians free of charge to Australia and then Virgin will on-fly them to their domestic ports in this country.
The moves comes as Qantas and Emirates released media statements on their plans to help Australians.

Despite Qantas’s plans its believed the airline has struggled to help because it lacks services in the Middle East and Emirates also does not have the capacity to manage all the Australians wishing the flee the war zone.

So it seems many things are possible in an emergency - interesting re-reading some of the comments up-thread ...

I wonder if Transport Minister King will be at the airport, welcoming pax back and thanking QR for their service?

 

[exLXCXFF]

Desperate times call for desperate actions - some Australians should be thankful to Qatar Airways (at least for once).

 

[oz_mark]

Disgusting if true.

Reports however seem to indicate extra Qantas flight from London and an Emirates flight from Dubai.

'Every boom, you feel it': Australians describe Israel terror amid emotional airport reunions

www.9news.com.au

The offer was made through Virgin Australia. Not sure how else Virgin could have helped.

 

[OATEK]

Qatar seem to be operating one if the charter flights bringing Aussies home from Israel.

 

[exLXCXFF]

From SMH:

„Qatar’s rival Emirates, which partners with Virgin’s rival Qantas, has also scheduled a repatriation flight to leave from Dubai to Sydney on Thursday. The airline does not yet know how many Australians will be on board.

Qantas flew 241 Australians to London out of Tel Aviv on Saturday on a Boeing 787. An empty Airbus A380 is due to arrive in London on Tuesday evening to pick up the 241 Australians before stopping in Dubai to pick up more people.

Qantas A380s have 484 seats and is expected to be full upon leaving Dubai to arrive in Sydney on Wednesday.

Qantas originally scheduled a second 787 repatriation service to fly into Tel Aviv on Sunday but it was scrapped due to security concerns.

None of the airlines have charged the Australian government or individual passengers for the costs of repatriating the Australians.“

 

[TheRealTMA]

The Oz reports:



Can't find the statement on-line ... but if reported correctly "partner airlines" ? So the Australian Government is partnering with Qatar Airways? Good to see.

https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/travel/qatar-airways-flies-300-australians-home-with-qantas-emirates-mercy-flights-coming/news-story/98c9da37c61233b72c5585cb82d25dfe

 

[oz_mark]

That is correct at least from the article I read. However, what would stop Qatar Airlines from claiming sovereign immunity given they are a department of the Qatari government just like the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority? It is my understanding that Qatar Airlines said the search was outside of their control and was decided by someone else (i.e. pointing the finger at someone else). Whether that is true remains to be seen as one would have to look at the other airlines operating at Doha at the time of the search to see if they "complied" with the order or told the airport authority to bugger off. Part of me is inclined to believe the authorities didn't ask women on a British Airways flight to be searched not the least of which for the diplomatic row it would cause but perhaps I'm naive.

As a government business enterprise, I don't think it can claim immunity.

 

[AIRwin]

An empty Airbus A380 is due to arrive in London on Tuesday evening to pick up the 241 Australians before stopping in Dubai to pick up more people.

VH-OQL operating SYD-SIN-LHR-DWC-SYD

 

[pen48]

Qatar seem to be operating one if the charter flights bringing Aussies home from Israel.

Qatar Airlines flight QR7424, carrying 222 people...... First Australian repatriation flight from Israel lands in Sydney, carrying 222 passengers