Virgin Australia has paused the next wave of its crew secondment program with Qatar Airways due to the conflict with Iran.
As reported in The Australian, At least 17 crew members due to travel to Doha for placement in Qatar have been informed the program is on hold, while Virgin Australia is offering support to staff already in Doha looking to return to Australia.
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Around 20 pilots and 20 cabin crew were sent to Qatar last year for secondments, which accompany Virgin’s wet-lease deal for Qatar’s 777-300ERs.
“The safety and well-being of our crew is our top priority. Due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, Virgin Australia has put the second tranche of its secondment program with Qatar Airways on hold,” a Virgin spokesperson said.
Crew members and their families wishing to return home have been offered airfare refunds of up to $3,000 per person, or more with prior approval, to travel back to Australia or another pre-approved safe location.
While no cabin crew or seconded pilots from the first tranche of placements have yet returned to Australia, six family members returned on a Perth service on Tuesday. Virgin has advised its crew members to follow the advice of Qatar Airways, local officials and the Australian government.
The news comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong confirmed on Wednesday that more than 3,000 Australians have returned home from the Middle East and urged others in the region to do the same while flights are available.
“I would like to emphasize what the Prime Minister said yesterday, which is that if you are in the region and can get a seat, we strongly suggest that you take it. We are concerned that this conflict will escalate,” he told a news conference.
“I’m mainly referring to those who are residents of the region. I have been informed by airlines and airports that much of the backlog of people transiting from Australia or to Australia has been cleared. So we are now dealing with people who are residents of the region.”
“I understand this is an important decision for families, but we really urge you to consider taking a seat if one is available. Flights are still available and you can return to Australia safely.”
Last week, the RAAF deployed two aircraft to the Middle East in case they were needed for evacuations, although the government has indicated that commercial services are its preferred method of returning stranded Australians due to the scale of the problem.
