DFAT will start operating shuttle buses for stranded Australians leaving from Doha, where the airspace is currently restricted, to Riyadh.
The Australian Government will start bus transit services from Qatar to the Saudi Arabian capital, in a bid to help Australians desperate to leave the war-torn Middle East.
Foreign Affairs and Trade Assistant Minister Matt Thistlewaite this morning confirmed DFAT will start operating shuttle buses for stranded Australians leaving from Doha, where the airspace is currently restricted, to Riyadh.
From there, Australians will be able to book a commercial flight out of the region.
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"We are working to consider transfers from Kuwait as well, subject to a safety assessment," Thistlewaite said.
"It's a fast-moving situation and the airspace is opening and then closing.
"The best option for people to get out is on commercial flights.
"If they are offered a seat on a commercial flight, they should seriously consider taking that option."
Basic accommodation support in Riyadh will be provided to Australians by DFAT, Thistlewaite said.
The drive from Doha to Riyadh spans nearly 600 km and takes 6.5 hours.
A further 516 Australians returned home on four repatriation flights overnight, two of which landing in Sydney, another in Perth and one in Melbourne.
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Passenger Zoe said her flight was "pretty empty".
"It wasn't that full and that was actually really upsetting. I feel really bad for the people who are still trying to get home," she said.
Since the conflict started, 1324 Australians have returned home safely from the region.
The government has also extended registration for 24-hour consular support to Bahrain, Lebanon and Qatar as the conflict expands.
That's in addition to support provided to Australians receiving consular support in Israel, Iran, the UAE and Kuwait.
The announcement comes as Emirates and Qatar Airways recommence a "reduced flight schedule" following the partial reopening of the region's airspace.
Qatar's Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) today announced the "partial resumption of air navigation" in the country.
"This phase includes the operation of a limited numer of flights designated for passenger evacuation, in addition to the operation of air cargo flights," a QCAA spokesperson said.
Qatar Airways is coordinating a number of repatriation flights from Doha to London Heathrow, Paris Charles De Gaulle, Madrid, Rome Fiumicino and Frankfurt airports.
"Priority on these flights was given to stranded passengers with families, elderly passengers, and those with urgent medical and compassionate travel needs," A Qatar Airways spokesperson said.
"Each flight was pre-allocated by Qatar Airways directly to such affected passengers."
Emirates said it transported around 30,000 passengers out of Dubai yesterday and has increased services to the UK and India.
"The airline anticipates a return to 100 per cent of its network within the coming days, subject to airspace availability and the fulfilment of all operational requirements," an Emirates spokesperson said.
"Safety, as ever, remains paramount as is our duty of care."
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