Australian taxpayers could be charged up to $1 million for chartered evacuation flights from war-torn Lebanon, it has now emerged.
Ben Fordham warned that it will be taxpayers who will foot the bill on Friday for mercy flights from the Middle East under his 2GB programme.
“Taxpayers are funding Qatar Airways to operate several humanitarian flights from Cyprus to Australia, and it is not spending money,” Fordham said.
“If we say a million dollars on two flights, it’s probably a lot higher than that. We are extremely conservative with that estimate.”
Fordham said he was surprised by the claims as it was reported that Qatar Airways matched Qantas in setting up free charter flights from Cyprus to Australia.
He added that Qantas “did the right thing” by covering the cost of three return flights, estimated to be between $2 million and $3 million.
“Perhaps Qatar could consider following Qantas’ example, but it is not too late,” he said.
“For the record, Qatar Airways made a profit of $2.5 billion in the last financial year, yet they are still charging Australian taxpayers.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said a total of 1,425 Australians had returned on flights from Cyprus to Sydney on Thursday (pictured, a post-flight reunion)
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave the conflict zone while the Beirut Rafic Hariri remains operational (photo, Baalbek in Lebanon)
Qatar Airways is accused of charging Australian taxpayers to evacuate stranded Australians from the Middle East as the crisis escalates (stock image)
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed last week that Qantas will operate two free flights from Cyprus to Sydney for eligible Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family members with rights of entry into Australia.
Ms Wong reiterated calls for Australians to leave the conflict zone while the Beirut Rafic Hariri remains operational.
Figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) show that around 15,000 Australians live in Lebanon. There are fears that not enough Australians have taken the opportunity to leave, despite the escalating conflict.
On Thursday, DFAT said 313 Australians and their family members had left Lebanon and arrived in Australia overnight, bringing the total to 1,425.
The claims about Qatar Airways come as the Australian Financial Statement reported plans to cancel charter flights from Lebanon due to low take-up.
The AFR said the last taxpayer-funded flight would leave Lebanon on Sunday.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qatar Airways and DFAT for comment.
