Australian taxpayers could be charged up to $1 million for chartered evacuation flights from war-torn Lebanon, it has now been revealed.
Ben Fordham warned it will be taxpayers who will end up footing the bill for mercy flights from the Middle East in his 2GB program on Friday.
“Taxpayers are funding Qatar Airways to operate several humanitarian flights from Cyprus to Australia, and it’s not pocket change,” Fordham said.
‘When we say a million dollars over two flights, it’s probably a lot more than that. “We are being ultra conservative with that estimate.”
Fordham said he was surprised by the claims as it had been reported that Qatar Airways was matching Qantas in offering free charter flights from Cyprus to Australia.
He added that Qantas “has done the right thing” by covering the cost of three return flights, estimated at between $2 million and $3 million.
“Perhaps Qatar could consider following Qantas’ example, but it is not too late,” he said.
“For the record, Qatar Airways made a profit of $2.5 billion in the last financial year, but they are still charging the Australian taxpayer.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said a total of 1,425 Australians had returned on flights from Cyprus to Sydney on Thursday (pictured, a post-flight meeting).
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave the conflict zone while the Beirut Rafic Hariri remains operational (pictured, Baalbek in Lebanon).
Qatar Airways has been accused of charging Australian taxpayers for evacuating stranded Australians out of the Middle East as the crisis escalates (file image)
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed last week that Qantas was operating two flights from Cyprus to Sydney free of charge for eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with the right of entry to Australia.
Ms Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave the conflict zone while the Beirut Rafic Hariri remains operational.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) figures suggest around 15,000 Australians reside in Lebanon, and there are concerns that not enough Australians have taken the opportunity to leave, despite the escalating conflict.
On Thursday, DFAT said 313 Australians and their families had left Lebanon and arrived in Australia overnight, bringing the return total to 1,425.
The claims about Qatar Airways arise as Australian financial review reported plans to cancel charter evacuation flights from Lebanon due to low uptake.
The AFR said the last tax-funded flight would leave Lebanon on Sunday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qatar Airways and DFAT for comment.
