The first of two special repatriation flights to evacuate Australian citizens from Lebanon and return them to Australia is nearing its destination in Cyprus. The flight is being operated by Australian flag carrier Qantas as a special charter flight on behalf of the Australian Government.
The flight is being operated by one of Qantas’ 14-strong fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners registered VH-ZNC. The flight departed Sydney International Airport (SYD) at 07:03 local time on October 7, 2024, and is due to touch down at Larnaca Airport (LCA) in Cyprus at 15:22 local time on the same day.
The expected flight time is 18 hours and 15 minutes from Sydney to Larnaca, and 17 hours and 20 minutes on the return leg. The shorter travel time on the return leg is due to prevailing winds. The total distance of the flight is around 9,931 miles (15,890 km), slightly exceeding the distance of the carrier’s Perth to London direct service, which is the longest on its network but is currently suspended due to airspace closures in the Middle East following the rise in tensions.
At the time of writing, the aircraft is over the Arabian Sea and is making good progress towards Cyprus. The flight (flight number ASY1258) took off from Sydney and initially headed northwest, passing over the middle of Australia before coasting out over the Indian Ocean just south of Broome. The aircraft then tracked south of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and India before it heads over the Middle East, passing over the Mediterranean Sea and descending into Cyprus.
The flight is one of two special charters being operated between Australia and Cyprus in the coming days, with the second flight due to depart Sydney on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Qantas advised via a statement that in addition to the flight and cabin crew (four pilots and ten cabin crew), a dedicated team will be onboard to support each special assistance flight. This includes ground personnel, medical personnel, engineers, and a specialized toolkit and parts in case they are required to help dispatch the aircraft from Larnaca.
The flight return flight heading back to Australia is expected to depart Larnaca on Monday, October 7. 2024 with up to 220 passengers onboard and arrive back in Sydney on the evening of Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Qantas will then fly passengers to their nearest home domestic airport that the airline operates to at no cost. Additionally, the flights are being operated free of charge on behalf of the Australian government, said Qantas.
“As part of our long-standing partnership with the Australian Red Cross, Qantas will be supporting their efforts to provide comfort and support to those returning home as well as carrying Australian Red Cross Trauma Teddies to give to all traveling passengers on the two charter flights,” said the airline statement. “Australian Red Cross will be on the ground at Sydney Airport on Tuesday to provide psychological first aid and other referral support for those returning home.”