A bed bug scare has turned a long haul journey into a travel nightmare for Qantas passengers.
Reports of insect bites on a Perth to Rome flight forced the airline to cancel its return service and take a Boeing 787 Dreamliner out of action.
The disruption unfolded after passengers aboard flight QF5 from Perth to Rome on October 9 reported being bitten during the journey, prompting medical assistance and the provision of antihistamines.
The following day, Qantas cancelled flight QF6 from Rome to Perth to allow the aircraft to undergo a deep clean after an issue was identified in a small number of economy class seats.
The decision left passengers booked on the return service facing disrupted travel plans, with some waiting up to 48 hours for alternative flights.
Qantas apologised to customers affected by the cancellation, saying the decision had been made to allow the aircraft to be cleaned.
“We sincerely apologise to customers for the cancellation of Saturday’s Rome to Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
The airline said affected passengers were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative services within 48 hours of their original departure.
The incident is an unwelcome setback for Qantas’s Perth to Rome service, which provides a direct link between Australia and Italy without the need for a stopover.
Bed bugs are small, blood feeding insects that can hide in the seams of seats, mattresses and other upholstered furnishings. Their bites can cause itchy, red welts, although reactions vary between individuals.
The insects can be particularly difficult to eliminate because they hide in small crevices and can survive for extended periods without feeding.
Thorough cleaning and appropriate pest control treatment are generally required to eradicate an infestation.
Qantas said its aircraft cabins are cleaned regularly and to a high standard, with routine cleaning and disinfection forming part of its maintenance procedures.
