Australians trapped in Egypt by political unrest can evacuate aboard a government-chartered Qantas flight on Wednesday.
The Qantas Boeing 747 jumbo charter will leave Cairo for either London or Frankfurt.
‘‘We are very concerned. We wouldn’t be taking these steps if we weren’t concerned,’’ said Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
‘‘The highest travel advice we can give Australians is those very plain and simple words – do not travel.’’
The situation at Cairo airport was described as chaotic as thousands of stranded people waited for information about flights out of the city in the face of continuing civil unrest and rioting in Cairo against the government of President Hosni Mubarak.
Australians overseas who want to ring the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade consular emergency centre in Australia should ring 61 2 6261 3305.
People inside Australia who want to contact the department on behalf of family and friends should ring 02 6261 3305.
