Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Qantas to operate its longest ever nonstop flight to repatriate passengers from Argentina

The rescue flight will cover 14,680km

Helen Coffey
Wednesday 29 September 2021 10:08 BST
Comments
Qantas will operate a rescue flight from Argentina
Qantas will operate a rescue flight from Argentina (Qantas)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Qantas is to operate its longest ever nonstop commercial flight.

The rescue flight, which is being run to repatriate Australians stuck in Central and South America, will cover a whopping 14,680km in one go.

Flying from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Darwin, Australia on 5 October, the service will beat the airline’s previous longest commercial flight distance – 14,498km between London and Perth – by 182km.

The flight will take around 18 hours, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Once back in Australia, passengers arriving from the Argentinian capital will have to self-isolate in the Howard Springs quarantine facility for 14 days.

Some Australians have been stuck overseas for months with no way home during the pandemic.

Joe May has been trying to get back from Panama for eight months – he managed to get a seat on the upcoming flight for A$2,396 (£1,285).

“I teach English here and as a result of almost a year of lockdown we have burnt through all our savings,” he told Stuff. “A very dear friend paid for this flight with their credit card.”

May made the decision to return home after developing an autoimmune disease that cannot be treated in Panama. Two previous flights he was booked on were cancelled.

He has to travel without his three-year-old daughter and Ecuadorian wife, who must stay behind while he applies for residency for them, a process which could take two years.

“My heart is broken to be leaving my wife and little girl,” he said. “Right now I quite simply feel numb, uncertain and lost.”

Stranded Aussies spread across Central and South America will be hoping to catch the flight, but there are fears they may not be able to cross the Argentinian border.

At present, only citizens and permanent residents are allowed to enter, but restrictions are due to be eased on 1 October.

A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said: “The Australian Government continues to work hard to assist Australians to return, including helping them access scheduled commercial flights within passenger caps and implementing a schedule of facilitated commercial flights above the existing passenger caps to maximise quarantine capacity at the Howard Springs facility.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in