The first of two flights carrying hundreds of Australians fleeing Lebanon has landed in Cyprus as Israel’s assault on the Meddetarian country intensifies.
The charter flight from the Lebanese capital Beirut took off on Saturday morning with 229 passengers on board, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
“Another flight will depart later today, and two more flights are scheduled for tomorrow,” Ms Wong wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ms Wong urged Australians still in Lebanon that “now is the time to leave” and that they should be prepared to leave at short notice as officials have stepped up warnings.
The Federal Government announced it had secured seats for Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members on flights from Lebanon.
“Seats are still available on Saturday flights for those registered on the DFAT Crisis Portal,” an alert from Smartraveller said.
Qantas will operate two free non-stop flights from Cyprus back to Sydney, the first of which the airline says will depart on Monday.
The first evacuation flight for Australians from Lebanon has arrived in Cyprus (photo)
The government-organized flight is one of two on Saturday and will be followed by two on Sunday
Those on board will then be offered a Qantas flight for the journey from Cyprus to Sydney
“The flights will operate on a Qantas Boeing 787 and can carry up to 440 Australians home,” Qantas said in a statement.
‘The first service is expected to depart from Larnaca, Cyprus, on Monday evening (local time) and arrive in Sydney on Tuesday.
“The second direct Dreamliner service is expected to depart on Wednesday.”
Transportation Secretary Catherine King said Saturday that the government has secured about 500 seats on the two flights from Lebanon.
Australian government officials assisted Australians departing Lebanon on two government-backed charter flights from Beirut.
It comes amid fears that Beirut airport could be closed.
“Obviously we will inform people if there are still flights available, but that will be very dependent on conditions on the ground,” she said.
“Our message to the people of Lebanon right now is very clear: don’t wait. Don’t wait to book the perfect flight home that connects you everywhere. ‘
‘If you are offered a flight, you have to go. You have to leave now and take that first chance.
“The situation on the ground is very serious and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to get everyone out.”
Ms King said the government had put in place “contingency plans” for the thousands of Australians believed to still be in Lebanon.
“Obviously we are dealing with circumstances as they arise,” she said.
‘The airport is still open at the moment. There is no guarantee that it will remain that way.’
Israel stepped up its attacks on Lebanon on Saturday, with airstrikes in the northern city of Tripoli and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The escalation of hostilities marks the deadliest period for Lebanon since the 2006 war with Israel and comes after the killing of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah.
Israel has exchanged fire with the Lebanese militant group almost daily since the outbreak of war in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas.