Aussies may know what to do when they see red & yellow flags waving by the ocean, but the requirement may not be as clear to tourists who weren’t raised with the same beach safety standards.
Hoping to give international visitors a better understanding of Australia’s surf lifestyle, Qantas has started including beach safety messages during its in-flight announcements to coastal capitals and regional centres.
Working with Surf Life Saving Australia, the airline will advise passengers on beach safety tips such as swimming between the red and yellow flags, the role of lifeguards and lifesavers and more.
Image: Surf Life Saving Australia
The aim of the messages, according to Surf Life Saving Australia Chief Executive, Adam Weir, is to keep beach-goers safe and reduce the number of international visitors needing rescuing or tragically losing their lives due to an unfamiliar surf environment.
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Chief Customer Officer, said the airline is pleased to be joining with Surf Life Saving Australia to remind beachgoers how to stay surf safe.
Image: Surf Life Saving Australia
“We are keen to remind visitors via a friendly PA that the best way to enjoy the beach and catch their Qantas flight back home safely is to swim between flags at a patrolled beach.”
Vanessa Hudson, Qantas Chief Customer Officer
The rollout of announcements began earlier this month across some regional, domestic and international routes on arrival into Australia. They’ll run throughout the peak summer swimming period until April.
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