The Atlantic archipelago's regional authorities have consistently resisted taking in the ship, which has suffered three deaths and was only authorised to anchor offshore instead of docking in the port.
But all passengers are asymptomatic and were undergoing a final medical assessment before their disembarkation, Spanish Health Minister Monica Garcia told reporters on Tenerife shortly before the operation was due to start.
"The last flight of the entire procedure is scheduled for tomorrow, which is the flight to Australia," she said.
The ship's 14 Spaniards would leave first, followed by a Dutch flight that would also take citizens from Germany, Belgium, Greece and part of the crew, Garcia said.
Separate flights for Canadian, Turkish, French, British, Irish and US citizens were also planned for Sunday, added Garcia.
Regional authorities have warned that adverse weather conditions would force the vessel to leave from Monday.
Daily life uninterrupted
At the port of Granadilla de Abona early Sunday morning, AFP journalists of French press agency AFP saw white tents had been sent up along the quay and the police had secured part of the port.
Despite the situation, daily life appeared largely normal: some people were swimming, others shopping at the market or sitting at cafe terraces.
"There are worries there could be a danger, but honestly I don't see people being very concerned," said David Parada, a lottery vendor.
Regional authorities have refused to allow the vessel to dock. Instead, it will remain offshore while passengers are screened and evacuated between Sunday and Monday -- the only window health officials say the weather will allow.
Cruise operatorOceanwide Expeditions, that specialises on polar expeditions,said earlier that "all guests and a limited number of crew members" were expected to begin to leave the ship from around 0700 GMT.
"Once disembarked, they will be transferred immediately to their allocated aircraft," the Dutch firm said.
The WHO said Friday it had confirmed six cases out of eight suspected ones. There are no suspected cases remaining on the ship.
The MV Hondius is sailing from Cape Verde, where three infected people had already been evacuated earlier in the week.
(WIth newswires)
Originally published on RFI
