Qantas grounds Rome‑Perth Boeing 787 after bedbug outbreak

Bedbug discovery

Passengers on the Perth‑to‑Rome leg of flight QF5 complained of bites and were given antihistamines, but supplies ran out. The crew later identified a bedbug infestation on the aircraft, a Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner registered VH‑ZNI.

Qantas temporarily removed the aircraft from commercial service at Rome Fiumicino Airport for a deep clean after the crew discovered the insects.

Flight cancellations and ferry

The outbound flight QF6 from Rome to Perth and Melbourne was cancelled. The aircraft was later ferried from Rome at 2:02 PM local time on 10 October under flight number QF7006, arriving in Perth at 11:06 AM the following day.

After completing the ferry to Perth, the aircraft continued to Sydney as flight QF6007 and has since re‑entered regular service.

Operational impact

Flight QF5, a daily service from Melbourne to Rome via Perth, arrived in Rome at 7:33 AM on 10 October, more than an hour later than its usual 6:15 AM arrival.