Qantas has been running constant safety assessments for its planned flights to Tel Aviv in consultation with government agencies. Based on latest assessments, the difficult decision has been made not to operate the second flight to Tel Aviv on Sunday due to continued deterioration of conditions on the ground in Israel for safety reasons.
The special A380 flight from London to Sydney will operate on Tuesday.
We remain committed to helping to bring Australians home and are in discussions with government about other ports in the Middle East that Qantas and partner Emirates could fly into to assist with broader evacuation efforts.
Qantas would like to thank all operating crew and support staff who helped get Australians safely out of Tel Aviv on today’s special assistance flight.
13 October 2023 – UPDATE ON QANTAS ASSISTANCE FLIGHTS
Qantas will operate an Airbus A380 from London to Sydney (via Singapore) on Tuesday to help Australians in Israel get back home, following a request from the Australian Government.
This dedicated flight will carry Australians who are leaving Israel on Qantas flights to London on Friday and Sunday. The Qantas A380 has 484 seats.
Passengers on these flights are travelling free of charge, with the costs being covered by Qantas. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is coordinating registration for Australians travelling on all three flights.
The first of two flights operated by Qantas’ 236-seater Boeing 787 Dreamliner will depart Tel Aviv overnight on Friday (Australian time) and is due to arrive in London early on Saturday morning (Australian time). The second flight is due to depart Tel Aviv on Sunday. The A380 service from London will land in Sydney on Wednesday afternoon.
Given the uncertain situation in the region, these flights are subject to ongoing safety and security assessments, and regulatory approvals in several countries.
ADVICE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT
Australians who want to leave Israel via Australia’s assisted-departure flights should register at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website. 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).
11 October 2023 – QANTAS TO OPERATE SPECIAL FLIGHTS FROM ISRAEL
Qantas will operate two flights to help Australians in Israel get to safety, following a request from the Australian Government.
Details of the flights are being finalised with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but it is expected a Boeing 787 Dreamliner will operate from Tel Aviv, Israel to London in the coming days (subject to ongoing safety and security assessments, and regulatory approvals in several countries). The operational costs will be absorbed by Qantas.
Arrangements for onward flights for those wanting to travel back to Australia are still being worked through.
Australians who want to leave Israel via Australia’s assisted-departure flights should register at Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website. 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).
The sudden nature of these rescue flights will mean disruption for some customers on our international network, who we’ll contact directly. We’re working to minimise the impact as much as possible and appreciate their understanding.