Qantas is offering Australian nationals fleeing the military conflict in Lebanon free flights home on behalf of the government.
On October 4, 2024, Qantas announced that the airline would operate two non-stop flights between Cyprus and Sydney.
Between the two Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliners provided, 880 Australians will be able to safely return home, away from the volatile current situation in the Middle East.
“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,” a spokesperson for Qantas said in a statement.
The first Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight is expected to depart Larnaca in Cyprus on October 7, 2024, with the second aircraft leaving on October 9, 2024.
Last night 41 Australians were assisted to depart Lebanon.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) October 3, 2024
Thank you to our Canadian partners for their support with this flight, @melaniejoly.
Grateful for the work of the DFAT team in Beirut helping to facilitate Australian passengers onto the flight. pic.twitter.com/7M3fa7Xqvw
Qantas is asking its pilots and cabin crew to help operate these flights, but is expecting an overwhelming response after 900 staff offered to fill 70 places on special assistance flights from Tel Aviv back in October 2023.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is coordinating registration for Australians wanting to return home and Qantas is working to obtain the necessary approvals to fly.
Qantas expects that the additional flights may impact some customers booked to travel on its international network.
“Customers are being contacted directly with alternative travel arrangements. We’re working to minimise the impact as much as possible and appreciate their understanding,” the Qantas spokesperson said.
The Australian government has already secured 580 seats on additional flights departing this week, but their departure is dependent on Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) staying open, according to Reuters.
Around 15,000 Australians had been living in Lebanon until the Australian government began urging them to leave in recent weeks.
Australians wishing to leave Lebanon via Cyprus should register via DFAT’s Crisis Portal.
