Qantas flight from Rome to Perth cancelled after bedbug outbreak on plane

Australian airline Qantas cancelled a passenger flight from the Italian capital, Rome, to the Australian city of Perth on Saturday because of a bedbug outbreak on the aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was taken out of service so it could be thoroughly cleaned.

The same plane had flown the nearly 17-hour route from Perth to Rome on Friday. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, some passengers complained of being bitten by bugs. They were reportedly given antihistamines, which ease itching, but supplies ran out.

A Qantas spokesperson told the BBC the cancellation allowed engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats. The airline apologised to customers. All affected passengers were given accommodation and rebooked on other flights within 48 hours of their original departure time.

What bedbugs are

Bedbugs are small, wingless parasites that can live on clothes, furniture and bedding. According to the website of the UK's National Health Service (NHS), their bites can be itchy but do not usually cause more serious health problems. They can be difficult and expensive to remove. Treatment includes washing bedding, clothing and household materials such as curtains on a hot wash and tumble drying them, or sealing them in plastic bags and keeping them in a freezer for three or four days.

Similar incidents

Bedbugs disrupting travel is not unusual. Less than two weeks ago, several Southeastern train services in England were cancelled after drivers found the insects in their cabs. In 2017, British Airways apologised to a family flying from Vancouver to London who were left covered in bites after an overnight flight. Last year, Turkish Airlines faced reputational damage after the New York Times reported several cases of bedbug infestations on its planes, along with allegations that the airline had done nothing about them.