Qantas announced this evening it 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 Dreamliner and will 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.
Qantas 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 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 the Australian airline’s 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,” Qantas said.
The Australians Government has said Australian who want to leave Lebanon via Cyprus should register at DFAT’s Crisis Portal.
