Aussie family blasts Qantas over extra $10,000 hit due to Middle East crisis - despite travelling to Paris
- A family's flight from Melbourne to Paris was delayed
- They missed their connecting flight in Turkey
- Qantas booked them on a flight through Dubai
- READ MORE: Empty flights to UAE as fears grow over safety during war
An Australian family have lashed out at Qantas after they were forced to pay $10,000 to secure last-minute alternative flights after a delay saw the national carrier reroute them through Dubai.
Paul Furtado, 62, his wife and their 10-year-old child were recently travelling from Melbourne to Paris with a layover in Turkey.
However, the trio missed their connecting flight when their first leg was delayed by Qantas.
The airline offered them two options - take an Emirates flight through Dubai - which Qantas had already booked, or organise their own way to Paris and seek a refund.
The family immediately opted for the latter after reading Smartraveller's advice of do not travel to the United Arab Emirates due to the ongoing conflict with Iran - which has seen Dubai Airport targeted by Iranian missiles.
'I don't want to fly to Dubai because recent reports have told us that the airport itself is being damaged,' Mr Furtado told the Daily Telegraph.
'It's dangerous. It's essentially in the line of fire of this war and our own government is telling us not to travel to Dubai.
'Our 10-year-old son was scared. He thought we were going to have to go to Dubai. I said, 'No, no, we're not doing that'. The conflict is in the process of escalating.'
Qantas booked a Melbourne family travelling to Paris on a flight through Dubai
The family's first flight was delayed, meaning they missed their connecting flight. Qantas claimed the flight via Dubai was the only one available (pictured is a fire at Dubai Airport on March 16 caused by a drone attack)
The extra flights set the family back another $10,000 and they're still waiting for the refund from Qantas.
A Qantas spokesperson confirmed the airline rebooked Mr Furtado's family to travel through Dubai as it was the only flight available for several days.
Since Israel and the United States bombed Iran, killing its Supreme Leader, on February 28, Dubai has been a targetted with Iranian missiles.
The oil-rich city has long been popular with Westerners. A total of eight people have been killed, several hotels have caught fire and the airport has been repeatedly bombarded.
Mr Furtado said it was 'unacceptable' for Qantas, Australia's national carrier, to send customers to the under-siege region.
Additionally, the Australian Government has explicitly told Australians 'do not travel' to the UAE.
'The regional conflict is likely to escalate further. We advise you to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE), don't wait until it's too late,' Smartraveller states.
'The UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.
Smatraveller has advised Australians not to travel to Dubai, including in transit, due to the ongoing conflict with Iran (pictured is a fire at Dubai Airport caused by a drone attack)
'Do not travel advice applies to transit and layovers in the UAE. Even if you don't plan to leave the airport.
'If you travel to or transit through the UAE, you may be unable to leave. Your safety will be at risk.'
Qantas has offered customers who booked flights to or through the UAE before March 6 a fee-free refund, flight credits or date change for flights booked.
Daily Mail has contacted Qantas for further comment.
