Sixth flight with repatriates from Lebanon lands in SP with 212 passengers

Around 3,000 people living in Lebanon have asked to be repatriated due to the escalation of attacks in the region. The country has the largest community of Brazilians in the Middle East, with 21 thousand residents. Itamaraty, through the Brazilian embassy in Beirut, says it is in contact with Brazilians and their close family members to provide consular assistance and verify the need to promote a new repatriation flight, depending on security conditions on the ground.

Operational capacity is to bring 500 Brazilians per week. Therefore, repatriation of those interested in leaving Lebanon will take around six weeks. The information comes from the Air Force commander, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno. “We have a magic number of around 500 people per week, a flow that we can maintain”, he declared.

Repatriation is carried out using the Brazilian Air Force’s KC-30 aircraft. After facing problems during takeoff at the beginning of the month, the VC-1, a Brazilian presidential plane, remains in Mexico to this day, undergoing maintenance. Faced with the lack of alternatives, President Lula announced that he will travel to Russia this Sunday (20) to participate in the Brics summit in another FAB aircraft, the KC-30. FAB informed the Facto News that, even with President Lula having to use one of the KC-30 planes, the repatriation operation will not be interrupted.

Government has advised people to also try to leave Lebanon by their own means. Planalto reiterates the warning for everyone to follow the security guidelines of local authorities and, for those who have the resources to do so, to try to leave Lebanese territory by their own means. Beirut airport continues to operate, with flights from the Lebanese company Middle East Airlines. The Itamaraty consular duty numbers are still available, if necessary, both via WhatsApp: +55 (61) 98260-0610 and +55 (61) 98313-0146.

The first FAB flight landed in Brazil on October 6th. The group with 229 passengers and three pets was received by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who reinforced that the country will continue its efforts to bring all Brazilians and their families in need.

The aircraft also carries the fourth load of donations for the country. In addition to rescuing Brazilians and their families, the KC-30’s deployment to Lebanon is used for Brazil to send strategic health supplies to Lebanon. According to the federal government, the operation’s scales have already delivered more than 47 tons of donations, including hospital supplies, food baskets and others.