First India repatriation flight since federal government ban lands in Darwin
The first Australian repatriation flight from India since they were banned by Prime Minister Scott Morrison touched down in Darwin on Saturday morning.
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- Editorial: India passengers’ repatriation flight pain shows that lessons have been learned
- 70 Aussies barred from flying out of India as first repatriation flight in weeks set to return to Darwin
UPDATE – 12PM:
An NT Government spokesman has confirmed there were a total of 78 passengers on the plane from New Delhi to Darwin today.
He said 72 people from the original cohort of 150 were unable to board yesterday, with 48 testing positive to COVID-19 and 24 being identified as close contacts.
UPDATE – 11AM:
Two buses have now departed the RAAF base for Howard Springs, with many of the seats vacant.
Each of the buses had an NT Police escort.
It is understood there are a total of 75-80 passengers being taken to Howard Springs.
EARLIER – 9AM:
THE first repatriation flight from India since they were banned by Prime Minister Scott Morrison has just touched down in Darwin.
The plane – flight number QF112 – is understood to be carrying about 70 Australian citizens from India, and arrived just before schedule at Darwin’s Royal Australian Air Force airport to avoid mixing with other travellers.
The passengers are yet to disembark the plane and get on buses to the Howard Springs quarantine facility.
A total of five buses are waiting.
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It cannot be confirmed at this time exactly how many passengers are on the plane after about half the group were unable to board yesterday, with about 40 testing positive to COVID-19 and 30 deemed close contacts.
The NT News has been told NT Health is still awaiting advice as to exactly how many passengers boarded the plane.
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