According to a report by Geoffrey Thomas in Airline Ratings, Qatar Airways recently came to the rescue of an 80-year-old terminally ill Tasmanian man with dementia, who is now back home after being stranded in Ireland for 14 months.
ABC reported that Tasmanian, John Jobber was classified as vulnerable by DFAT, but his family says his return only happened because an airline took pity in his plight and CLICK HERE for an interview with the ABC’s Hamish McDonald.
Mr Jobber’s daughter, Samantha John said that Qatar Airways was “totally invested” in the situation and the airline’s executives also followed Mr Jobber’s progress and one of his other daughters, Michele, who travelled all the way from Ireland and then flew home, a 50-hour round trip, as Mr Jobber needs 24/7 care and Michele was needed on the flight to administer his medication.
She said that the Qatar Airways executives even met the two in Doha en route to Australia and met Michele on the return trip.
Mr Jobber was then taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital for 14 days before being taken home to Tasmania by Samantha.
It is not known if QANTAS or any other airlines were asked for assistance but one Airline Ratings subscriber did ask the question, “Pity Alan Joyce did not see fit to do the same for one of our own”.
In the meantime, I am sure fellow Australians will join me in thanking Qatar Airways for getting Mr Jobber home and for their outstanding care and compassion to Mr Jobber and his daughter and family.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Special Correspondent
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