Emirates can confirm that it will be operating a special repatriation flight on Thursday 19 October, to help Australians impacted by the events in Israel return home.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said last week that up to 1,600 Australians were registered as being in the region of Israel, Gaza or the West Bank, but not all of them were necessarily trying to get out.
“They’ve just registered as being there in the region,” Albanese, said.
Many are visiting family or friends in the region with those connections.
The extra flight EK2616 is scheduled to depart Dubai (DXB) on Thursday at 09:40 am, arriving in Sydney (SYD) the next day at 06:05 am, all timings local. Australians who wish to travel on this flight should contact Emirates’ contact centre or sales offices, or their nearest Australian consulate or embassy.
Emirates stands ready to help impacted Australians return home, through our regularly scheduled services between Dubai and Australia, as well as the deployment of additional humanitarian flights as needed.
“We have made aircraft and crew available and put them on standby to activate over the past days, pending confirmation of passenger numbers and other details from the Australian government,’ the airline said in a media statement.
Emirates has been in detailed discussions with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), other Australian government contacts, and Qantas, to co-ordinate logistics and ground operations.
While the situation remains dynamic, the airline says it will continue to work closely with partners on efforts to evacuate and repatriate Australians.
“Emirates remains committed to supporting Australia, a community that we have been proud to serve and be a part of, for over 27 years,” an Emirates spokesperson said.
