Perth to Paris flight passengers didn’t know about Iranian missiles until landing back in WA

Passengers on the Qantas Perth to Paris flight QF33 were not aware their flight returned to Perth because of an Iranian missile attack on a US air base in Qatar until after they landed.

Weary travellers landed back in Perth Airport at 11am (1pm AEST) on Tuesday, 15 hours after they left the night before.

Queensland residents Naomi Nettleton and her daughter Isobel Nettleton-Hart were passengers on Qantas flight QF33.Credit: Hamish Hastie

Most passengers this masthead spoke to were full of praise for the flight crew, but said they were only told the flight was turning back because airspace over Qatar had closed.

Will Berline, who was heading to France, said the flight didn’t have Wi-Fi, so passengers didn’t know about the Iranian attack until they landed. But he understood why the call was made.

“[I thought] how inconvenient, but better to be alive,” he said.

“The crew took great care of us. They’re putting us up in a hotel, and then we’re flying out again.”

There were 216 passengers on the flight, with many from the eastern states using Perth as a stopover for the direct flight.

Newcastle man Matthew Goswell was heading to Paris for a summer holiday and two weddings.

He said he would now miss the first wedding and was irate at the “pointless” conflict that led to Qatari airspace closing.

Queensland resident Naomi Nettleton and her daughter Isobel Nettleton-Hart were travelling to France for a summer holiday.

“We know that the airspace was blocked, and that’s all that we know,” Nettleton said.

“They have handled it really well, and staff were incredible.

“We’ll be OK. We’re trying to be positive about it all.”

Passenger Leon, who asked his last name not be used, said he would have liked to know more about the turn-back.

QF33 passenger and Newcastle man Matthew Goswell at Perth Airport.Credit: Hamish Hastie

“It would have been nice to know a bit more about what’s going on, like it turned out, I think just the airspace is closed, but it could have been a lot more serious about than that,” he said.

“Would have been nice to have a bit more heads-up.”

Qatar closed its airspace after Iran launched a flurry of missiles at the Al Udeid Airbase south-west of the capital Doha overnight.

QF33 left at 8pm on Monday and was turned back to Perth as it was passing the south-western tip of India about 3.30am WA time on Tuesday (5.30am AEST). Qantas’ Perth-London flight that, which also Perth Airport last night, was diverted to Singapore, a spokesperson confirmed.

The direct Perth to Europe flights, including Rome, London and Paris, have proved popular for Qantas, particularly over the European summer.

“We continue to monitor airspace availability closely and will alter our schedule as required,” Qantas spokesperson said.

Qantas flight QF33R on the Perth Airport arrivals board after the flight was turned back mid-flight.Credit: Hamish Hastie

“We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”

Passengers on QF33 will be accommodated today and Qantas has arranged a new flight for this evening.

The failure of those flights to reach their destinations will have flow-on effects for Qantas, with flights QF10 (London to Perth) and QF34 (Paris to Perth) having to be cancelled and rescheduled.

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