Qantas is taking passenger safety to new heights with the inclusion of beach safety messages as part of its in-flight public announcements for flights to many coastal capitals and regional centres this summer.


The airline has partnered with Surf Life Saving to help keep tourists and international visitors safe on Australian beaches. Cabin crew will be encouraging safe beach visits by advising passengers to always swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach where they will be watched over by surf lifesavers and lifeguards.



Each year international tourists, in particular, are rescued or tragically lose their lives on Australian beaches and many coastal drowning victims are often unfamiliar with the specific hazards of the surf environment.



“Millions of people visit our beautiful beaches each summer and unfortunately many of them find themselves in trouble simply because they aren’t used to the surf conditions,” said Surf Life Saving Australia CEO Adam Weir.



“We are pleased that our beach safety campaign is getting an additional voice via our national carrier and given they carry a large percentage of our international visitors to Australia, we are hopeful this support with messaging will really help saves lives,” said Mr Weir.



Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Chief Customer Officer, said the airline is pleased to be joining with Surf Life Saving Australia to remind beachgoers how to stay surf safe.



“Qantas flies to destinations that boast some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches and we also have some of the best surf lifesavers in the world. We are keen to remind visitors via a friendly PA that the best way to enjoy the beach and catch their Qantas flight back home safely is to swim between flags at a patrolled beach.”



Many Qantas staff and crew are part of the Surf Life Saving movement, as volunteer surf lifesavers, surf club members or parents of Nippers.



The rollout of the announcements will begin next week across a number of regional, domestic and international routes on arrival into Australia and run throughout the peak summer swimming period until April. On some inbound flights to Australia, the messages will also be delivered in different languages.



Beach safety messages will begin from 21 November on flights to the following destinations.



NSW




  • Sydney

  • Lord Howe Island

  • Newcastle

  • Coffs Harbour

  • Port Macquarie



QLD




  • Brisbane

  • Cairns

  • Gold Coast

  • Bundaberg

  • Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay)

  • Mackay

  • Sunshine Coast



WA




  • Perth

  • Broome

  • Geraldton



SA




  • Adelaide

  • Whyalla



VIC




  • Melbourne



TAS




  • Launceston

  • Hobart

  • Devonport



 



Sunday 18 November 2018


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