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Virgin Australia has paused the next wave of its crew secondment program with Qatar Airways due to the Iran conflict.
As reported in The Australian, at least 17 crew members that were due to travel to Doha for the placement with Qatar have been told the program is on hold, while Virgin Australia is offering support to staff already in Doha seeking to return to Australia.
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Around 20 pilots and 20 cabin staff were sent to Qatar last year for the secondments, which accompany Virgin’s wet-lease deal for Qatar 777-300ERs.
“The safety and wellbeing of our crew is our highest 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 looking to come home have been offered airfare reimbursements up to $3,000 per person, or more with pre-approval, to travel back to Australia or to another pre-approved safe location.
While no seconded cabin crew or pilots from the first tranche of placements have yet returned to Australia, six family members returned on a Perth service on Tuesday. Virgin has recommended its crew members follow advice from Qatar Airways, local officials, and the Australian government.
The news comes as Foreign 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 follow suit while flights are available.
“I would emphasise what the Prime Minister said yesterday, which is that if you are in the region and you are able to secure a seat, we strongly suggest you take that seat. We are concerned that this conflict will intensify,” she said at a press conference.
“I’m speaking primarily to those who are residents in the region. I’m advised by the airlines and the airports that a great deal of the backlog of people in transit from Australia, or to Australia, has been cleared. So now we are dealing with people who are residing in the region.”
“I understand this is a big decision for families, but we really do urge you to consider taking a seat if one is available. There are still flights available, and you can get back to Australia safely.”
The RAAF last week deployed two aircraft to the Middle East in case they are needed for evacuations, though the government has indicated that commercial services are its preferred method for returning stranded Australians, due to the scale of the problem.
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