Qantas has withdrawn Boeing 787-9 VH-ZNI from service in Rome after passengers on flight QF5 from Perth reported being bitten by suspected bedbugs during the journey on 9 October. The aircraft arrived at Rome-Fiumicino the following day, when Qantas cancelled the scheduled QF6 return to Perth to allow engineering and maintenance teams to conduct a deep clean, disrupting the carrier’s Perth–Rome operation.
The reports concerned a small number of seats in the forward economy cabin. Some passengers were reportedly given antihistamines, although the availability of the medication and the precise number affected have not been independently established. Qantas arranged accommodation and rebooked customers affected by the cancellation onto alternative flights within 48 hours of their scheduled departure.
The airline apologised for the disruption and described the problem as an issue affecting a small number of economy seats. It maintains that aircraft cabins are cleaned regularly and receive preventive disinfection every 50 days. The source of the suspected infestation, whether bedbugs were conclusively identified and how long VH-ZNI will remain out of service have not been disclosed. Intensive treatment, potentially including fumigation, may be required before the aircraft returns to operation.