International repatriation flights from Tenerife begin after hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship MV Hondius

An unprecedented international evacuation operation has been launched in Tenerife after the Dutch expedition cruise ship MV Hondius arrived in the Canary Islands following a deadly hantavirus outbreak on board.

The vessel, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew from more than 20 countries, was placed under strict health controls after three passengers died and several others tested positive for the Andes strain of hantavirus during the voyage. Spanish authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO) and multiple governments coordinated a complex repatriation effort involving charter, military and government aircraft.

Countries receiving repatriation flights

The repatriation flights departing Tenerife have involved passengers from a wide range of countries, with quarantines and medical monitoring planned upon arrival.

Known figures released by governments and health authorities include:

• Spain: 14 people (13 passengers and one crew member) were flown to Torrejon airbase near Madrid and placed in quarantine at the Gómez Ulla military hospital.
• United Kingdom: 22 British passengers and crew were repatriated on a Titan Airways charter flight ZT791 to Manchester (Airbus A320 registered G-POWM) and transferred to the isolation unit at Arrowe Park Hospital near Liverpool.
• France: Five French nationals were flown to Paris Le Bourget on a Dassault Falcon 900 (tail number F-HREG) under medical supervision. French authorities said they would initially be hospitalised for 72 hours before continuing isolation at home for 45 days. One French passenger reportedly developed symptoms during the return flight.
• United States: 17 American passengers and a British one with dual citizenship were evacuated on a US government medical flight and transported to the National Quarantine Unit in Nebraska for monitoring and testing. One American passenger later tested mildly positive.
• Ireland: Two Irish nationals were repatriated aboard an Irish Air Corps jet (tail number 290) and transferred to quarantine facilities in Ireland.
• Australia: Australian authorities organised a dedicated repatriation flight for passengers from Australia and New Zealand, expected to complete the final phase of the evacuation operation.
• Netherlands / Belgium / Germany / Greece: A joint flight from Tenerife South to Eindhoven, the Netherlands, carried Dutch nationals as well as passengers from Belgium, Germany and Greece, together with part of the crew on 10 May. The flight ZT871 was operated by Titan Airways Airbus A321neo registered G-OATW. A second flight. Exact passenger numbers for each nationality have not yet been officially released, except for two Belgians who were transported by ambulance to the University Hospital of Antwerp after landing in Eindhoven. A second Titan charter flight to Eindhoven ZT792 is operated on 11 May on Airbus A320 registered G-POWK.

• Canada, Turkey and other countries: Additional repatriation flights were arranged for citizens of Canada, Turkey and several other nations represented on board.

Global monitoring operation

The WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have classified all passengers as high-risk contacts as a precaution. Health authorities in at least a dozen countries are now tracing passengers and enforcing quarantine or medical monitoring procedures.

The outbreak aboard the ship has triggered one of the largest international infectious disease repatriation operations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite concerns over the Andes strain — one of the rare hantaviruses capable of limited person-to-person transmission — the WHO has stressed that the overall risk to the general public remains low.