The first of several Government-assisted flights out of Lebanon has arrived in Australia.
On Monday night, 349 Australians and their immediate family arrived in Sydney from the Lebanese capital of Beirut.
Three more repatriation flights are expected to land later today. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said plans for further flights “will be subject to demand.”
The Government has urged Australians to leave Lebanon, where hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate.
Background
The Federal Government has repeatedly called for Australians to leave Lebanon.
The Government’s Smartraveller platform has warned that “the security situation could deteriorate rapidly throughout Lebanon with little or no notice”.
It comes as attacks between Israel and Hezbollah across the Israel-Lebanon border have intensified in recent weeks.
Repatriation
Last week, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the Government had scheduled two flights to Australia from Lebanon.
Flights are free of charge for eligible Australians, permanent residents and approved immediate family members.
Wong added that “vulnerable passengers” would be prioritised.
Government figures show nearly 4,000 Australians and their immediate families have registered to leave Lebanon.
Nearly 350 passengers landed in Sydney on Monday night. It followed a Canadian-assisted flight, which returned 41 Australians last week.
Three other flights are due in Sydney and Brisbane from Beirut (via Cyprus) over the coming day. Two more services are expected to leave Beirut later this week.
Australians are also urged to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs, “and take the first available option to depart.”
“Government-assisted flights are subject to demand and security conditions on the ground.”