First repatriation flight from Lebanon has touched down in Australia

A repatriation flight has carried hundreds of Australians home to safety after they fled the growing conflict in the Middle East.

Hundreds of Australians fleeing Lebanon have touched down on home soil after living in the latest strike zone of Israel’s expanding war against Iranian-backed Islamist militants.

The first group of Australians evacuated from Lebanon to Cyprus land in Sydney about 7.30pm on Monday.

“On Sunday, 448 Australians and their immediate family members left Lebanon for Cyprus on government-assisted flights, bringing the total assisted departures to more than 900,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday.

“Tonight the first flight from Cyprus will land in Australia. We look forward to welcoming them home.”

Australian government officials assisting Australians to depart Lebanon on two government-supported charter flights from Beirut Airport to Larnaca, Cyprus on Sunday 6 October 2024.

A sense of joy and relief spread through Sydney Airport

Cyprus, an island off Lebanon in the Eastern Mediterranean, is the nearest safe pick-up point.

Senator Wong said the federal government was working to help more Australians get out of Lebanon but noted that flights were “subject to security and operational restrictions”.

Israel is intensifying air strikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut as part of its campaign against Hezbollah.

With the Lebanese terrorist group positioned in neighbourhoods close to Beirut’s main airport, commercial flights in and out of the city could stop at any time.

Australian Government officials assisting Australians to depart Lebanon on two government-supported charter flights from Beirut Airport to Larnaca, Cyprus and on to Australia. Picture: NewsWire Handout

Emotions were high on Monday night as families were reunited. Picture: Newswire Handout

NewsWire understands 904 Australians and their immediate family members have been evacuated from Beirut to Cyprus after the Albanese government scrambled to secure seats on flights following Iran’s missile strikes on Israel last week.

Two more flights are set to leave Beirut later on Monday.

Qantas confirmed a flight departed from Sydney on Monday morning for the Cypriot city of Larnaca, where evacuees are in temporary accommodation.

“The flight is expected to depart Larnaca on Monday evening with up to 220 passengers on-board and arrive back in Sydney on Tuesday evening,” the airline said.

“Qantas will then fly passengers to their nearest home domestic airport that the airline operates to at no cost.”

In addition to medical personnel on the flight, Qantas said the Australian Red Cross would be “on the ground at Sydney airport on Tuesday to provide psychological first aid and other referral support for those returning home”.

The carrier said it would run a second flight expected to depart Larnaca on Wednesday.