Qantas has cancelled a flight from Rome to Perth after passengers on an earlier journey reported being bitten by bedbugs, forcing the Australian airline to withdraw the aircraft from service for an extensive cleaning operation.
The disruption followed a nearly 17-hour flight from Perth to Rome on Friday, during which passengers reportedly complained about insect bites. Some were given antihistamines to relieve the itching, but supplies eventually ran out, according to reports cited by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was taken out of service after the problem was identified in a limited number of economy-class seats. Qantas said engineers and maintenance teams needed to carry out a deep clean before the plane could return to operation.
The airline apologised to passengers affected by Saturday’s cancellation, adding that they had been provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours of their original departure.
Bedbugs are small parasitic insects that can hide in bedding, clothing, furniture and other materials. Although their bites can cause itching, they do not usually lead to serious health problems. However, eliminating an infestation can be difficult and costly, particularly when insects spread through frequently used spaces.
The incident adds to a series of bedbug-related disruptions affecting transport services. Less than two weeks earlier, several Southeastern train services in England were cancelled after drivers discovered bedbugs in their cabs.
Airlines have also faced similar complaints. British Airways apologised in 2017 after a family travelling from Vancouver to London reported being covered in bites during an overnight flight. Turkish Airlines faced scrutiny last year following reports of alleged bedbug infestations on some of its aircraft.
The Qantas incident highlights the operational challenges transport companies face when pest problems are discovered, as cleaning requirements can disrupt schedules and leave passengers needing alternative travel arrangements.
