Repatriation flights set to take Australians out of Israel today and tomorrow have been cancelled due to “rapidly changing” conditions in the region.

The first of the flights landed in London earlier today but the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Smart Traveller account posted an update on social media tonight, announcing that two subsequent flights have been postponed.

“The situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing. Unfortunately, we have been advised our scheduled flights will not depart Israel today. A further flight will not depart as scheduled tomorrow.”

There was no confirmation about when the next flights would leave.

“The Australian Government is working to ensure Australians who want to leave can do so as soon as possible,” the post on X, formerly known as Twitter continued.

“We will communicate to registered Australians about next available flights.”

Senator Penny Wong further explained the situation on social media, saying: “Departures from Gaza are extremely challenging due to the dangerous security situation.

“850 previously registered Australians and their families have now left Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
DFAT is assisting more than 1,500 registered Australians in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Not all of those are looking to leave.”

Qantas flight departing Tel Aviv.
The first repatriation flight left Tel Aviv and landed in London on Saturday morning. (Qantas)

The repatriation flights were announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on October 8 and would bring Australians home from the Israel-Hamas conflict free of charge.

The first flight out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport departed on Friday and landed in London at 9pm local time (7am Saturday AEDT) with 238 Australians and their families on board.

The flight will depart from London for Sydney on Tuesday. 

Qantas also confirmed the two further planned flights would not go ahead.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 13: A member of London's Israeli community (L) hugs an Australian citizen evacuated from Israel, at Terminal 3, Heathrow on October 13, 2023 in London, England. 238 Australian nationals are on the flight  to London Heathrow following the Hamas surprise attack on Israel last Saturday left 1300 dead and as many as 150 people were taken hostage and moved to Gaza.  (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)
The first flight out of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport departed on Friday and landed in London at 9pm local time (7am Saturday AEDT) (Getty)

“Qantas has been running constant safety assessments for its planned flights to Tel Aviv in consultation with government agencies,” a spokesperson for Qantas said in a statement.

“Based on latest assessments, the difficult decision has been made not to operate the second flight to Tel Aviv on Sunday due to continued deterioration of conditions on the ground in Israel for safety reasons.”

Australians in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories should register via or by calling the 24-hour cConsular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from Australia).
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