Australians stranded overseas as airlines fly with as few as four economy passengers

Exclusive: Qatar Airways acknowledges prioritising more expensive tickets to remain profitable and comply with the flight arrival cap

Planes flying into Australia are carrying as few as four economy passengers, as airlines frustrated with the government's international arrival cap begin to acknowledge they are prioritising business passengers and more expensive tickets to remain profitable while complying with the limits.

Some flights are restricted to as few as 30 passengers under the government's restrictions on arrivals.