Brief
Qantas cancels Rome‑Perth flight after bedbug outbreak on aircraft
The airline provided accommodation and rebooked affected travelers within 48 hours.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Qantas cancelled its Rome‑to‑Perth service on Saturday after a bedbug outbreak was identified on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the airline told the BBC.
What happened
During the preceding Friday flight from Perth to Rome, some passengers complained of being bitten by insects. The airline supplied antihistamines, but the stock ran out. The aircraft was then taken out of service for a deep clean, according to a Qantas spokesperson.
What was said
"We sincerely apologise to customers for the cancellation of Saturday's Rome to Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats," the spokesperson said to the BBC.
How it came about
Bedbugs are wingless parasites that can live on clothing and bedding; the NHS notes their bites are itchy but rarely serious. The airline arranged accommodation for affected passengers and promised rebooking on alternative flights within 48 hours of the original departure.
Key facts
- A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded for a deep clean after passengers reported bedbug bites. (bbc.co.uk)
- The Rome‑to‑Perth flight scheduled for Saturday was cancelled. (bbc.co.uk)
- Affected customers received accommodation and were rebooked within 48 hours. (bbc.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] bbc.co.uk — originally reported as “Qantas flight grounded after bedbug outbreak”
