New Delhi: Australian airline Qantas was forced to take a Boeing 787 Dreamliner out of service in Rome after bedbugs were discovered in the economy section of the flight from Perth on 9 October.
The Guardian, citing a source familiar with the incident, said that the insects were found in the front section of the economy cabin during flight QF5, which was travelling from Perth to Rome. Passengers reportedly complained of being bitten during the journey.
The discovery led Qantas to cancel the aircraft’s scheduled return flight from Rome to Perth on 10 October so that its engineering and maintenance teams could carry out a thorough cleaning.
Qantas apologises, passengers rebooked
A Qantas spokesperson said the return flight was cancelled after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats.
“We sincerely apologise to customers for the cancellation of Saturday’s Rome to Perth service,” the spokesperson said, adding that the aircraft needed a deep clean.
The airline said affected passengers were provided with accommodation and booked on alternative flights within 48 hours of their original departure.
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How did the bedbugs get on board?
Michelle Power, a parasitologist at Macquarie University, said the insects had most likely entered the aircraft in a passenger’s luggage or clothing before spreading into the cabin.
“They’re associated with travel. People may go to a hotel that’s infested, and because they like dark spaces and are attracted to the smell of human clothes, they make their way into someone’s luggage,” Power said according to the Guardian report.
“They’re a flightless insect, without planes,” she added.
Power said the insects were not considered dangerous, although their bites can cause itching and irritation. They are also difficult to eradicate because they can hide in bedding, upholstery and narrow crevices for extended periods without feeding.
While the infestation cause is not confirmed by Qantas, the airline said its cabins were cleaned regularly to a high standard, with precautionary disinfectant treatments carried out every 50 days. However, it is not confirmed whether the passengers were quarantined after the flight landed.