Empty Flights: Aussies Stranded in Middle East

0:00In Sydney today, March 6, Australians stranded in the Middle East amid rising tensions are finally heading home, but many flights arriving in places like Sydney and Melbourne have been only half full. Passengers report dozens of empty seats on recent Eddie Hodge and Emirates flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. So far, about 286 people flew from Dubai to Sydney, 155 to Melbourne, and fewer than 100 from Abu Dhabi. The federal government faces criticism for not doing enough to fill those planes. Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the empty seats disappointing and said officials are working more closely with airlines to pack every flight. Four Emirates flights from Dubai and two Eddie had ones from Abu Dhabi are set to depart within the next day or so. Return travelers are voicing frustration over the lack of support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. One passenger on a flight from Dubai said it was only a third full, with plenty of room

1:00for more Aussies, and praised the United Arab Emirates. Government for covering their hotel and meals instead. Others called the Australian help pretty weak, just generic emails with no real action. Aviation expert Ron Barch says there's no fuel or weight reason for the empty flights, pointing instead to poor communication amid the chaos in the chaos in the region. The first big flight to Sydney last Friday carried over 400 passengers, showing fuller loads are possible. Meanwhile, some Aussies remain stuck, like a couple diverted to Qatar with limited food and no accommodation. Their family highlights better aid from Qatar compared to Australia and urges action like visas to drive to Dubai for flight home. This DNN story comes to you thanks to our sponsor. It looks like a pillow. It sounds like headphones built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.