Bedbug infestation forces Qantas to ground plane in Rome
Aircraft taken out of operation after flight from Perth after the discovery of parasitic insects on board
TL;DR
- A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Perth to Rome discovered bedbugs.
- The parasitic insects were found in the front economy section of the aircraft.
- The plane was grounded in Rome, leading to the cancellation of the return Qantas Rome to Perth service on October 10th.
- Qantas stated the flight cancellation was to allow for a deep clean of the aircraft's economy seats.
- Affected passengers were rebooked on alternative flights and provided with accommodation.
- A parasitologist explained bedbugs are often brought on planes in luggage or clothing and are difficult to eradicate.
- Bedbug bites can be itchy and irritating but are not dangerous.