Qantas Boeing 787 Grounded After Bedbugs Found on Perth-Rome Flight
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating the Perth-to-Rome route was taken out of service after bedbugs were discovered in economy class during the nearly 17-hour flight. The aircraft, which had departed Perth on Friday, October 9, was grounded upon landing in Rome, and its scheduled return flight (QF51) on Saturday, October 10, was cancelled. Crew members had attempted to manage the situation by distributing antihistamine medication to bitten passengers, but supplies quickly ran out. Qantas confirmed the discovery of bedbugs in a small number of economy seats and subsequently arranged deep cleaning of the cabin, along with hotel accommodation and alternative flights within 48 hours for all affected travellers.
Key Points
- The incident occurred on a Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating the Perth-to-Rome route, with a flight duration of approximately 17 hours .
- During the flight, passengers reported being bitten by bedbugs, prompting cabin crew to distribute antihistamines, which were eventually depleted .
- Upon landing in Rome, the aircraft was immediately removed from service, cancelling the return flight QF51 scheduled for October 10 .
- Qantas confirmed bedbugs were found in a limited number of economy-class seats and stated the aircraft required "thorough deep cleaning and decontamination" .
- Parasitology expert Michelle Power from Macquarie University explained that bedbugs likely entered the aircraft via passenger luggage from infested hotels, enabling international spread of the flightless insects .
Why It Matters
This incident adds to a growing list of international transport operators facing bedbug infestations, including British Airways in 2017 and Turkish Airlines, highlighting the challenge of preventing cross-border pest transmission as global travel volumes increase . For Hong Kong travellers, the incident underscores the importance of inspecting hotel rooms and carefully checking luggage after international trips, as bedbugs can easily hitchhike between destinations and spread through various modes of shared transportation .
This incident adds to a growing list of international transport operators facing bedbug infestations, including British Airways in 2017 and Turkish Airlines, highlighting the challenge of preventing cross-border pest transmission as global travel volumes increase . For Hong Kong travellers, the incident underscores the importance of inspecting hotel rooms and carefully checking luggage after international trips, as bedbugs can easily hitchhike between destinations and spread through various modes of shared transportation .