WWI vet widows fly free to Turkey

The federal government and Qantas say widows of WWI veterans will travel for free on a special flight to Turkey for Anzac Day.

Widows of World War One veterans will get free flights to Turkey for this year's centenary Anzac Day commemorations.

In a joint statement the federal government and Qantas said the war widows, escorted by veterans' affairs support staff, will travel on a special flight for Australians travelling to Turkey for Anzac Day, departing April 21.

"This additional flight ... will provide the opportunity for many Australians who received a ticket in the ballot to travel to this historic Anzac Day commemoration," Veterans Affairs Minister Michael Ronaldson said in the statement, issued on Tuesday.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said 35 places on the 364-seat Boeing 747 were reserved for widows of World War One veterans.

The widows, aged in their 70s to 90s, will attend the commemorations as official guests of the federal government.

They will be accompanied by staff from the veterans' affairs department.

Mr Ronaldson said up to 10 widows would make the trip.

He described them as the "special link" that connects Australia to Anzac Day.


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WWI vet widows fly free to Turkey | SBS News