If it wasn't so tragic an overall situation it would be funny.
The tally of Australians wanting to come home and officially registered to come home immediately is now 26,000, +2,000 from last week with 4,000 graded as vulnerable by DFAT.
Non registered estimates are about 100,000 Australians wanting to come home
Something has to be done.
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Pets arrive home from London before Aussie family stranded
An Australian family stranded in London have expressed frustration their pet dog and cat have already arrived in Sydney while they are still stuck overseas.
The Fotheringhams have been in the UK for the past two and a half years and were in the process of moving back to Australia.
The family of four have had flights cancelled five times, but their pets were able to travel separately as cargo and arrived in Australia last month.
"It would be hilarious if it wasn't tragic," Craig Fotheringham told 7.30.
Frankie, a miniature dachshund, and Stella, a ragdoll cat, made it to Sydney airport safely and are now being cared for by relatives.
But the Fotheringhams' case highlights the predicament facing 26,000 Australians the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has said still want to come home.
Many have faced round after round of flight cancellations.
"Tickets to nowhere. It's thousands and thousands of dollars," Mr Fotheringham said.
Australians stranded overseas face two big problems: National Cabinet's strict limits on international arrivals into Australia in line with hotel quarantine capacity, and the commercial realities faced by airlines which are struggling to remain viable in a global pandemic.
Travellers have told 7.30 they believe they have been regularly bumped from economy in favour of business class passengers.
An Australian family stranded in London have expressed frustration their pet dog and cat have already arrived in Sydney while they are still stuck overseas.
www.abc.net.au