The first of two flights carrying hundreds of Australians fleeing Lebanon has landed in Cyprus as Israel’s attack on the Medetarian country intensifies.
The charter flight from Beirut, the Lebanese capital, departed Saturday morning with 229 passengers on board, according to Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
“Another flight is leaving later today and there are two more flights scheduled for tomorrow,” Ms Wong posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Ms Wong urged Australians still in Lebanon that “now is the time to leave” and to be prepared to do so at short notice, as officials stepped up warnings.
The federal government announced it had secured seats for Australians, permanent residents and their immediate families on flights out of Lebanon.
“There are still seats available on Saturday’s flights for those registered on the DFAT Crisis Portal,” according to an alert published by Smartraveller.
Qantas will operate two free non-stop flights from Cyprus back to Sydney, the first of which will depart on Monday, according to the airline.
The first evacuation flight of Australians out of Lebanon arrived in Cyprus (pictured)
The government-organized flight is one of two on Saturday and will be followed by two on Sunday.
Passengers on board will be offered a Qantas flight for the journey from Cyprus to Sydney.
“The flights will be operated using a Qantas Boeing 787 and will be able to transport up to 440 Australians back home,” Qantas said in a statement.
The first service is expected to leave Larnaca, Cyprus, on Monday afternoon (local time) and arrive in Sydney on Tuesday.
“Second nonstop Dreamliner service expected to depart Wednesday.”
Transport Minister Catherine King said on Saturday that the government had secured about 500 seats on the two flights leaving Lebanon.
Australian government officials assisted Australians leaving Lebanon on two government-supported charter flights from Beirut.
It comes amid fears that Beirut airport could close.
“Obviously we will let people know if there are more flights available, but that will depend a lot on conditions on the ground,” he said.
‘Our very clear message to the people of Lebanon right now is: do not wait. Don’t wait any longer to get the perfect flight home that connects you everywhere. ‘
‘If they offer you a flight, then you have to go. You must leave now and take advantage of the first available opportunity.
“The situation on the ground is very serious and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to get everyone out.”
King said the government had “contingency plans” for the thousands of Australians believed to still be in Lebanon.
“Obviously, we deal with circumstances as they arise,” he said.
‘At the moment, the airport remains open. “There is no guarantee that it will remain that way.”
Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon on Saturday, with airstrikes reported in the northern city of Tripoli as well as the southern suburbs of Beirut.
The escalation of hostilities marks the deadliest period for Lebanon since the 2006 war with Israel and comes after the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah.
Israel has exchanged fire almost daily with the Lebanese militant group since the outbreak of war in Gaza following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas.