Australians who were meant to be on board the Qantas repatriation flight from India to Darwin but were kicked off at the last minute have expressed their horror and confusion over being forced to stay.
Around 80 Australians were on board the first repatriation flight out of India, departing New Delhi just after 12am AEST on Saturday and touched down ahead of schedule at 9.12am at Darwin in the Northern Territory.
But nearly half of the 150 Australians booked on the flight were not able to board due to their COVID-19 results.
Northern Territory Health officials confirmed 48 had returned a positive result, while another 24 people had been deemed as close contacts – meaning 72 Aussies booked to fly home could no longer fly.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told reporters in Melbourne the plane was not at full capacity as “there were people who tested positive before they came”.
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