The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is continuing its efforts to bring hundreds of Australians home from Peru and Uruguay this week.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne said DFAT was working to facilitate charter flights for the stranded Australians.
“The Australian Government has worked constructively with Chimu Adventures to provide assurances, including indemnity and the underwriting of unforeseen costs, without which the flights would not be able to proceed,” Senator Payne said.
“The flight from Lima is fully subscribed and is expected to carry more than 260 Australian nationals and permanent residents and is expected to depart Lima within days, subject to final approval of departure permission from Peruvian authorities,” she said.
“The flight from Montevideo, which is also scheduled to depart in the coming days, will collect Australians from the Ocean Atlantic cruise ship, which is moored at the port in Montevideo, as well as other Australians in the area who wish to return home.”
She said further flights were planned for Australians in South America, due to particular challenges with transport out of the region.
“Australian embassies in Lima and Buenos Aires are working with local authorities in Peru and Uruguay to ensure all arrangements are in place for the flights to Australia, which has required careful and consistent negotiation,” Senator Payne said.
She said arrangements to bring home Australian travellers facing difficulties in securing flights would continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
“We continue to urge Australians who have opportunities to travel back to Australia by commercial means, to do so as soon as possible,” Senator Payne said.
