• expired
  • targeted

Free, Non-Stop Flights for Aussies Fleeing Lebanon, from Cyprus to Sydney @ Qantas

32942

In a break from my regular travel deal posting, hopefully this'll help someone who needs to get out of Lebanon fast.

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).

Related Stores

Qantas
Qantas

closed Comments

  • +19

    I'd almost argue and say that if you're an Aussie still in the area and relying on these flights you shouldn't be getting a free ride home.
    Know people that had trouble getting out of Lebanon a couple months ago and had travelled against the advice of the government. I'm sure that hasn't changed since. They had to find their own way out via Turkey without any assistance.

    • +14

      I mean, the same argument was made during covid. People have lives over there. It's not always as easy as 'let's hop on a plane'. They could be dating a local. Have a job. I recall a survivor of the Christchurch mosque attack in NZ was over somewhere in the (IIRC) middle east when covid kicked off, getting treatment for his wounds from specialist hospitals. NZ govt said 'hey we're closing borders, get back soon' and it's like - well he's undergoing treatment that couldn't take place anywhere else.

      Others could easily be pregnant and when a govt says one thing and a doctor says "I advise you not to travel for the baby's sake", there's a lot of people who will just hope for the best.

      • -3

        "Christchurch mosque attack" what an acquisition.

        • Sure, unnecessary detail. His post still makes sense without it though.

    • +2

      Everyone's situation is different, and you can't judge them by your own standards. Some people may have family matters to attend to, while others might have business to handle. Regardless of what happens, our government will take care of our people, just as they always have. And if you ever find yourself in a similar situation in another country, our government will do the same for you, and no one in Australia will complain about it.

  • +6

    A few govt officials probably going to get invites to the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge on the back of this “deal”.

    • +2

      Airbus Albo #1 on the ticket.

    • I'm.sire there's better ways to be corrupt than this. What are you on about

  • +3

    Oh I read this the wrong way

    I thought it said those who want to flee to Lebanon get free flights… now wouldn’t that be a nice idea

    • Well there will be empty seats on the way there.

  • OP can you mark this bargain as Targeted please?

    • just done

    • Technically speaking, anyone can just go into Lebanon now and avail themselves of the deal, right? Might be good to some for a status run… LOL

  • +4

    TBF the way qantas has been going, all their flights should be free

  • +5

    I feel for those innocent people caught up in this unfortunate mess. I hope the Australian families get home safely. War is unfortunate and the loss of innocent lives is tragic. It must be a stressful time for those involved, a free flight home to safety is a great initiative.

    • +3

      and I'd suggest there are a lot of innocent people caught up in that unfortunate mess for generations… but no chance of a flight out or safety.

    • +12

      How can they caught up? Its almost a year since the start. Smart ones will avoid going there, or flying out 11 months ago.

      • +3

        You do realise being cruel doesn’t achieve anything? Have a heart. These are people are like you and me. I can’t see why getting them to safety is an issue. I’m sure if you were in that situation, you and your family would appreciate a flight home to safety.

        • +4

          Well agree with bringin them home but they could fly there with their own money, how about being fair and charge them normal price ticket instead of free? Gov pays the rest. They went by their choice, remember.

          • @CyberMurning: If you are going down that line of reason then you could also argue we should deny healthcare to anyone who smokes, does illicit drugs or consumes excessive alcohol, after all people are warned against their harmful use. If people then chose to use these substances despite the multiple warnings, then taxpayer money shouldn’t be spent on their healthcare? It’s a slippery slope argument.

            • +1

              @gamemaster: Yes i agree with what you have suggested. Human must know there is consequences for each actions. The gov has responsibility to tell those are bad. Anyone to choose to ignore, well… maybe one forgiveness or two… not 20x.
              Just like the youth crime issue we have now. One kid given 7x bails. Seriously?

  • +8

    How much tax dollars is this costing Australians in Australia?

    • +4

      A COVID bailout and a Joyce payout.

    • Cheaper than Steven's air mileage.

  • Free way to unlock green tier

  • +5

    Have to be a special kind of clown to have still of been there.

    • They're not a real bright bunch that's for sure. Some of them still think gay people should have their own town isolated from the rest of us.

  • +2

    Nah they can stay there

  • +4

    Unobtainium

  • +6

    These guys don't bother taking the governments arranged flight home, and actively disregard warnings to travel Lebanon.

    While associated groups fly Terrorist organisations flags in Australian cities.

    Good job Albanese.

    • +3

      Would be messed up if it didn't happen under any government. Labour is irrelevant.

      You realise you've been programmed to say "thanks Albanese" like those dumb Americans would go "Thanks Obama" over random things?

      Might want to things about things a bit more.

      • +1

        Not Israeli, the opposite

  • +14

    Govt should arrange a similar free flight to Lebanon as well, where our peaceful protesters can go and help out in war zone instead of just waving flags here in Sydney.
    They're really needed on ground in Lebanon fighting the missles

    • +1

      Yep the flights to pickup must be empty flying from here. Better use it for something….

  • Sorry, Not sure how this is a deal. More of a public interest update for news.com.au

  • +2

    Why don't they stay and defend their county?

      • +3

        Except… they are screaming Australia is zionist and go burn to hell

      • Them why are they living n Lebanon?

      • -1

        The people you are talking about denounced Australia, wished us all death and left our country. Why on earth should we be taking any of them back?

  • I hope everyone gets out safe and I pray to Christ for a peaceful resolution

    I fear that other nations including us will get involved in this war and sadly more and more people will be killed.

    If the United States don't bring order to the region soon then we will may enter World War 3….

    • sadly I don't think it's the US that is trying to bring order to the region, with massive arms shipments, and blocking the political resolutions of the rest of the world (except australia)

  • +12

    Not a Bargain - but a drain on the public purse that should be complained about in the Forums

  • +5

    they've been told forn10 months to get out but they decide to stay and now the tax payers gotta pay for their flight. These leechers.

  • +4

    No Deal

  • +13

    Send this to the forum’s to be dealt with. Not a deal. And the fact that everyone in Lebanon knew this was happening and to leave early, but here we are wasting taxpayers money again to get people out of a war zone.

  • +5

    I'm trying to be humanist and also respectful, but, if the government warned to NOT travel to Lebanon and they did…WHY is it now the taxpayers problem? I appreciate this does not apply to a but, it applies to some who should not burden the Australian government.

      • +1

        Good point im glad someone think something like that. Good job mate. Smoking is bad. No excuses. Everyone must quit.

      • -1

        Most people actually agree with that statement.

  • +5

    Only takes a post like this for all the folk here to show their true colours of bigotry.

    • that's a good comment that will get support from the middle, and the bigots of either side if they're myopic enough!

  • +7

    All seats to be funded by Ozb Taxpayers. Yippie!

    Empty or Not.

  • +3

    Hope they are not travelling business/first…..

  • +12

    All politics aside, this is not a bargain

  • +5

    A couple of flights is a drop in the bucket for the country's budget. 1 cent of your lifetime tax contribution will go to this endeavor. You won't miss it.

    • +2

      Never thought I'd see Broden taking the ethical highground

      • +2

        Amazing

        Also he probably figured.oit how to nook half the seats and is selling them on.

  • +2

    Yeh, this still isn't going to change my opinion of Qantas in a positive manner. F you Qantas, we the tax payer should own more than 50% of you with the amount of bail outs you've received.

    • Well… I share outlooks on qantas, but I think you have the wrong idea about the bucks
      qantas is doing the flights on behalf of the australian government…. that is, qantas is being paid a nice windfall for a few unplanned flights.

  • How do you get from Lebanon to Cyprus?

    • +2

      DFAT chartered flights from Beirut airport to Larnaca, Cyprus

  • +3

    Hopefully DFAT don't get their numbers of Australians living in Lebanon from Adobe Creative Cloud.

  • +2

    I'm just glad I live in a country that will help out its citizens stuck in crisis to get home safely when it can.
    Same has been done for all sides of wars/politics/religion/natural disaster/name your cause for years.
    A lot of the this conversation really has no relevance to what the government is doing, fact is when the things go bad, our government helps our citizens.

    • +2

      Their help is selective.

      We are the only country that has not reopened its embassy in Ukraine, making assistance for Australians and Ukraine much more difficult than for anyone else.

      And when Ukraine was attacked by surprise, no assistance was offered like this to Australians there, or in the vicinity, despite it being the largest war in Europe since wwII.

      All supposedly due to the danger (which as mentioned isn't seen as risky by anyone else).

      Yet they can fly planes to Beirut airport that is actually being actively shelled, which some commercial airlines have stopped flying to, and keep operating the embassy in Lebanon despite a war started there by Israel.

      If only they treated all citizens equally fairly.

        • +1

          Stating facts is "bigotry?" You must be projecting.

          If my claim is not true, feel free to provide any announcement of rescue flights for Australians out of Ukraine in 2022. Obviously, just like this, they want to publicise something like that so it will be easy to find. We'll wait… otherwise it's obvious who is lying to support "bigotry" in your words…

      • I can confirm that no help was offered to any Australian citizens stuck in Ukraine in February 2022. My in-laws traveled to Romania by bus and only then were able to fly to Australia. They paid for the flights and the bus trip themselves and didn't expect anyone else to foot the bill.

  • +12

    I don't mean to sound insensitive but they knew the risks when they flew to Lebanon…

    • +3

      It wasn’t included in the Hezbollah pamphlet

    • But you do.
      They're Australian citizens, and even if you wanted to make it that "those who flew in aware of the risks* didn't get flown out, there would be plenty who didn't fit within those circumstances.

      A couple of flights isn't even a drop in the bucket of what the government spends.

      • One factor is nicotine is addictive

        • +2

          So are terrorist ideologies.

      • +1

        the high taxes on cigarettes and alcohol help ameliorate the cost to tax payers for the health services - whereas the intransigence of those who insist on remaining in trouble spots until the bombs start landing, simply provide a burden

  • +4

    You guys have all got your knickers in a knot for flights to take people to safety and yet don't bat an eyelid for the $800m of our Australian tax payer money going to Ukraine?

    Elites sure know how to divide sheep.

    But, yes, this isn't a deal. Should be a forum post.

    • +1

      Please get your facts correct, firstly whatever amount in aid we give to Ukraine is a pittance compared to what the cost for Australia would be IF Russia was successful - thus setting up round 2 on Moldova, the baltic states etc & WW3 resulted. A stitch in time, saves nine on the grandest scale possible.

      Secondly, the value of the aid given as actually been in total $AUD1.3b (with $AUD1.1b military aid) - as of JUL24. More than you stated considerably.

      HOWEVER and this is critical , the value of this aid is set by us - and it's often, lets just say very subjective or flattering i.e based on the original purchase prices of the now superceded equipment, NOT their present market value.

      So is like giving that old jumper to a homeless person and bignoting yourself on social media for providing $150 of support for the local needy. Not untrue but not entirely accurate.

      Comparing the war in Ukraine to that in the mideast is chalk & cheese in many ways, comparing the two is not helpful or constructive. :-)

  • +2

    Stuff em, leave them there. The DFAT advice was clear

    • +2

      Agreed!

  • +7

    Yeah this comments section is going about as well as I expected

  • +1

    So buy one way to cyprus n get the return for free. Is that right?

  • +2

    Guess what AUSTRALIA?

    They will get off the plan and straight to the streets to VIOLENTLY PROTEST and wave TERRORIST FLAGS!

    LMFAO, can't make this shiet up!

    • +3

      How do you feel about the IDF who VIOLENTLY MURD3R over 15000 children and actually TERRORISING Palestinians?

      Right to self-defence? LMFAO can't make this sh1t up!

      • -5

        When you say "children" do you mean Hamas terrorists that are under 18 year olds? (obviously not all of them but a good chunk would be my guess)

        • +6

          Do you guys realise the number of innocent deaths on both sides?

          Do you think the majority of people want to be involved in wars?

      • @cmyk
        I'll tell you exactly how I feel!
        Children are innocent on all sides! They are ALL victims!
        Now ask yourself how those children died?
        You should be blaming the known terrorist groups that were hiding in schools and hospitals! They were literally and FACTUALLY using civilians as shields to deter the other side!
        Next you should ask yourself why the parents of those children KNOWINGLY allowed terrorist groups to do this? The answer is that they SUPPORT them! The reason "resistance/liberation" is irrelevant because there is always some justification from both sides!

        Imagine if I KNOWINGLY sheltered HITLER in my home, then my family got bombed! The only one to blame would be me! Not whoever bombed me! Why you ask? Because I could have left or I could have refused him entry! The same choice Palestinian families had! Would it have been easy? No, but the option was there and they clearly chose the wrong path!

      • +1

        @cmyk
        Palestinian supporters don't seem to understand the concept of "causation"!

        Had OCT 7th not occurred, every one of those children would be alive today and we would not be having this conversation!

        Do I believe the response from IDF was disproportionate? Absolutely!
        In a fantasy world the IDF would kill 1 Palestinian child for every 1 Jewish child killed!
        But WAR doesn't work like that no matter what people think or feel!
        Why do we not protest about the Allies committing "genocide" when innocent Germans were killed in WW2?
        The people that directly caused history to play out like this are the ones to blame! Because had they not done what they did, then history would be very different!

    • +3

      You did make it up though.

      I know you're making up a fantasy, but as far as you're aware, these people are citizens and as Australian as you and I are. No less.

      If any do want to "violently protest and wave terrorist flags" then they should be dealt with appropriately. But in the meantime you're making a baseless assumption.

  • This feels lose-lose to me.

    If Qantas does nothing they will get the blame for anything going wrong - why isn't our national airline helping aussies, like the other airlines do - they are only interested in profits.
    If Qantas does the flights people will whinge why don't I get free flights/why didn't the people leave sooner.

  • +6

    Its been a no travel destination for ages …….. and now we have to pay to get those stupid idiots who are there back to australia on the tax payers dime…..

    Not a deal for Australia thats for sure

    • +1

      Why would an Australian be there? They might have family they haven't seen, be there for an emergency (eg funeral), may have been living there (eg retired dual citizen).

      Not an ozb deal, but ensuring the safety of it's citizens is a great deal for Australia.

      Try not to make too many assumptions, it makes you come across as a simpleton.

      • +3

        The governments travel rating was pretty clear … Do not travel

        Do we need to be any clearer than that? Why even have travel ratings if we will just swoop in and rescue stupid selfish people anyway

        • The government says "do not travel", however I don't think it's far to judge or criticise Australians who may be there.

          If your parents were living there and they needed someone to care for them at a low to minimal cost, imagine the only choice was for you to live with them in Lebanon as they're unfit to fly. Would you leave them there to die with no help? Or would you move across there?

          It makes you look incredibly naive and selfish yourself to go and judge someone and their story when you don't know anything about them. Learn what it means to have compassion and empathy for others and then have another think about it.

          • +1

            @EFC94: Sounds like you expect australia to be schmucks and be used as security blankets when it suits dual nationality holders.

    • Cry a thousand times, your a slave of the system in the end.

  • Surely this is a forum post at best?

  • +4

    They knew this was happening for a while. Had all the time in the world to get out and they leave it until the last minute when they expect someone else to rescue them. When its even unsafe for charter rescue flights to enter Lebanon.

    • +2

      Why would an Australian be there? They might have family they haven't seen, be there for an emergency (eg funeral), may have been living there (eg retired dual citizen).

      Try not to make too many assumptions, it makes you come across as a simpleton

      • +1

        Calling people names makes YOU look like a simpleton. That's usually the point at which I walk away from a "discussion".

        • You're right, shouldn't have name called.

          However this is not a discussion, these are dumb takes when people's lives are at risk.

          Thank god none of these people are involved in decision making.

      • I am originally from Ukraine. I lost my grandma in August 2023 and my grandpa in September 2023. Guess what, I didn't fly there, even though I loved them very much and would have loved to pay my respects. 'Do not travel' means exactly that—do not travel. Once you decide to ignore this advice, you need to be ready to bear the consequences.

  • +3

    I'm here for the comments.

    • +1

      same here. i support it in nature and think it should go into PSA nwo that ive read the context but this really should be posted as a deal

Login or Join to leave a comment