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10 July, 2023

Qantas fliers stranded in Tahiti with no updates from national carrier

Australian Qantas customers have been stuck in Tahiti for days with no communication from major airlines surrounding their return home.

Travellers on Qantas’ partner, Air Tahiti were left without flights on Tuesday last week when the carrier initiated a strike staff action.

Qantas holds a codeshare agreement with the Tahitian airlines and this ongoing industrial action means flights to Tahiti from New Zealand and connecting destinations such as Sydney and Brisbane have been cancelled and left hundreds of passengers stuck.

“It’s been a disaster,” traveller Shane Hogan told the Daily Telegraph.

“Those of us who flew here with Qantas haven’t had a text or an email. Qantas haven’t said a word.

“I rang (Qantas) two days ago and spoke to someone on the desk who said we will call you and keep you informed. Nothing from Qantas.”

Mr Hogan and his wife were told to find accommodation – which has proved almost impossible – and wait for the next available flight.

“Every family in the terminal is in the same situation,” Hogan, said.

“They don’t know when they’re going to be on a flight.

“Some people will be stuck here until at least Wednesday.”

Hogan said he is travelling alongside a young woman who urgently requires medication for a rare blood-related illness that she suffers from.

“She’s got no medication left. This poor girl. It’s life-threatening. She urgently needs to get on this flight,” Hogan, said.

“The anxiety for her is high.

“I’m really distressed. It’s really upsetting. I was going to cry (because) she’s got no family with her.”

An update was released this morning on the Air Tahiti Nui website, reading, “Air Tahiti Nui informs all customers impacted by the current strike that we are actively working on finding alternative solutions to ensure they reach their final destination.”

“The Commercial Department specifies that each customer will be contacted individually as soon as a new departure option is found. Our teams are also actively involved in finding accommodation solutions to minimise the inconvenience caused to customers while they wait.”

Qantas has not made any update as yet.

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