First of two flights evacuating up to 500 Australians from Lebanon lands in Cyprus as situation worsens

The first flight carrying Australian citizens, permanent residents and their family members out of Lebanon has landed in Cyprus.

The Australian government is flying up to 500 people out of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on two charter flights as it continues to urge citizens to leave the country.

A second federal government-supported charter flight is due to depart Beirut later on Saturday as Australians flee the worsening conflict in Lebanon.

The federal government says two more evacuation flights are planned out of Beirut on Sunday.

Passengers who disembarked the first flight to touch down in Cyprus on Saturday expressed relief and joy to be travelling to Australia.

"I'm feeling lucky, I can say that," one woman said.

But among the 229 Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their family members were those who indicated it was a difficult decision to leave Lebanon.

"I felt guilty to leave family behind," another woman told ABC.

Accommodation and other on-the-ground considerations while in Cyprus have been arranged, with the first plane load of passengers bussed to a military barracks to wait for outgoing flights.

Qantas will run two flights free of charge from Cyprus to Sydney next week.

Earlier, in Beirut, Nowell Gemayel spoke while waiting to board the first of the two charter flights. Having been living in Lebanon, she said travelling back to Australia was the safest option. 

"It was a decision I had to make for the sake of my children and husband and it is basically so we can be safe and sound," she said. 

"It's very distressing and very upsetting. I am devastated with what is happening in Lebanon.

"It's very unpredictable and it could be escalating into something much bigger than we all expected." 

Federal government minister Catherine King said contingency planning was underway in case the airport was forced to close, describing the situation as "very fluid".

"Our message very clearly to people in Lebanon at the moment is do not wait to get the perfect flight home," Ms King said.

"If you are offered a flight, then you need to go. You need to leave now and take that first available opportunity.

Mahmoud Gebara, who has been on holiday in the country, was also among the Australians who had secured a seat. 

"I am glad I am going. We don't feel safe, that is why we are leaving," he said.

"I can't describe, I can't get the words to thank the Australian government for doing this thing for us." 

Meanwhile, Houra Dirani from Melbourne, who had been in Lebanon for her sister's engagement, said she had "mixed emotions". 

"It's mixed emotions because we are leaving family behind," she said. 

"We were here for a holiday for two months, and our holiday turned into a nightmare." 

On Saturday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there were still seats available on the flights.

In a statement on Friday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said "vulnerable passengers" would be prioritised and further flights were being planned.

"Operation of the Australian government-supported charter flights is subject to the airport in Beirut remaining open and other operational constraints," Senator Wong said.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be in contact with registered Australians to facilitate their departure and will continue to provide updates to registered Australians."

On Saturday, Senator Wong said there were a further two government-supported flights out of Beirut planned on Sunday.

At Beirut airport on Saturday morning, the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon Andrew Barnes said it was unclear how the crisis would unfold over coming days. 

"The airport is open at the moment and we are urging Australians, while they can, to take the opportunity to get on a flight because any day the airport could close," he said.

A Canadian assisted-departure flight earlier this week evacuated 41 Australians from Lebanon.

The Mediterranean Island of Cyprus has been preparing to potentially scale up its operations to assist evacuations, with the island acting as a transit point for many people fleeing.

The federal government has been urging Australians to leave Lebanon for months as conflict has deepened between Israel and Hezbollah.

The government estimates at least 15,000 Australians remain in Lebanon but the true figure could be as high as 30,000.

So far, 3,088 Australians have registered as wanting to depart, while a further 1,813 have registered to receive information from the Australian government.

Australians who do wish to leave must register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on its crisis registration portal.

Australians needing emergency consular assistance can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 (within Australia) or +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas).

Since October 2023, the Australian government advice has been for Australians to not travel to Lebanon.