Qantas has announced that it is scheduled to operate a third non-stop repatriation flight from Cyprus to Sydney to bring Australians home from Lebanon.
Flight ASY1280 is set to depart Larnaca International Airport (LCA) on the evening of October 11, 2024, with up to 220 passengers onboard the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The flight is expected to arrive at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) on the evening of October 13, 2024.
Following arrival into Australia, Qantas will then fly individual passengers to the domestic airport nearest their home to which the airline operates, at no cost.
Qantas declared that it will operate this additional flight free of charge for the Australian government, and those traveling on the flight will not have to pay.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is coordinating registration for Australians wanting to return home.
Qantas’ second repatriation flight, ASY1270, is expected to depart Larnaca on the evening of October 9, 2024, and arrive back in Australia late on October 10, 2024.
The Australian flag carrier documented the arrival of the first repatriation flight, ASY1258, when it touched down in Sydney from Larnaca.
Because the flights are chartered by the Australian government, they carry a Royal Australian Air Force flight number that begins with the code ASY.
The Australian Embassy in Lebanon is urging Australians in Lebanon to secure spots on these rescue flights as they “will not continue indefinitely”.