The Australian government will soon wind back its mercy flights for citizens out of war-torn Lebanon due to the slowing demand for seats.
A total of 1988 Australians, permanent residents and their family members have now been flown out of Lebanon, including eight flights from Beirut heading to Cyprus.
But there has been a decline in seats being taken up on Wednesday’s evacuation flights, with a little over half of the 660 available seats used.
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The government is now assessing whether the assisted evacuation mission was still viable given the lack of seats claimed by Australians.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other politicians have continually called on Australians still in Lebanon to take the first flight available out of the country.
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“Our message to Australians in Lebanon remains to please take the first flight option that is available to you,” Albanese told parliament on Tuesday.
“There should not be an empty seat on any of these flights. We will not be able to continue these flights indefinitely.
“Please come home when you have the opportunity. Do not wait. Do not think things might get better. Please come home and be safe.”
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There are still 3350 Australians and their family members registered as wanting to leave Lebanon.
There are two more flights scheduled to leave Beirut for Cyprus today.
Two more mercy flights are also landing in Australia this evening.
QR7424 is set to land in Sydney at 5.45pm and ASY1270 will land in Sydney at 11pm.
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