Cyclone Alfred: More than 320 flights cancelled at Brisbane Airport

A final flight will land in Brisbane today before all services are cancelled. Meanwhile, all flights have been axed at another two airports.

Hundreds of flights have been cancelled across South East Queensland and Northern NSW due to dangerous weather caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The cyclone, which is currently category 2, had been expected to make landfall potentially as early as late Thursday. However, it is now forecast to cross the coast in the early hours of Saturday.

The last flight expected to operate at Brisbane Airport on Thursday is Virgin Australia Flight 1246, arriving from Rockhampton at 4pm. All flights are then cancelled for the rest of the day.

Qantas and Jetstar, which suspended Brisbane flights from midafternoon Thursday, have announced international flights will not operate again until at least midday Saturday and domestic flights until at least Sunday morning.

No airlines will operate in and out of Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on Thursday. That is 89 and 12 flights cancelled, respectively.

Qantas and Jetstar are not expected to fly in or out of Ballina until at least Sunday morning, while Gold Coast Airport is shut, with no reopening time scheduled for the airport.

Gold Coast Airport has warned there will be no access to the terminal building, with people seeking shelter directed to the closest evacuation centre (Burleigh Waters Community Centre).

Qantas says domestic operations will remain suspended until at least Sunday morning and Jetstar international operations suspended until at least midday on Saturday.

Qantas and Rex also cancelled all flights in and out of Coffs Harbour on Thursday. Qantas said it expected to resume flights to this destination on Friday.

The expected pathway of Tropical Cyclone Alfred as of Thursday morning. Picture: BOM

Brisbane flights

Brisbane Airport remains open but there have been many flights cancelled throughout the day.

More than 150 domestic flights into Queensland’s capital city on Thursday had already been cancelled by 9am, according to Brisbane Airport’s arrival board. The departures board showed over 120 domestic flights had been axed, and more than 50 international arrivals and departures were cancelled.

Despite all airlines cancelling flights after 4pm on Thursday, Brisbane Airport said it would continue to keep its terminals open “while passengers and essential airport workers need shelter, for emergency and aeromedical services, for defence operations, and while it is safe to do so”.

Rex has gone ahead and cancelled all flights to and from Brisbane on Thursday and Friday.

Qantas and Jetstar, which suspended Brisbane flights from midafternoon Thursday, have announced international flights will not operate again until at least midday Saturday and domestic flights until at least Sunday morning.

“While the cyclone is likely to make landfall from Friday, there will be cancellations today in Brisbane as we work to get people in and out of Brisbane safely whilst also making sure we are best prepared prior to the cyclone making landfall,” a Qantas Group spokesperson said on Thursday morning.

“This includes making sure our people and aircraft are safe.”

MORE:Aus insurers’ sick move as cyclone nears

Qantas will cancel all flights to and from Brisbane Airport from midafternoon on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Virgin Australia will operate a limited schedule to and from Brisbane Airport before 4pm on Thursday, and then suspend all services, according to its latest update released on Wednesday.

Even if flights are still operating, Australian airlines have announced flexible travel policies for travellers who change their mind about flying this week to Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gold Coast (Coolangatta) and Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore).

Qantas and Virgin are offering customers who booked flights before Monday, March 3 the option to move their flight date within 14 days of the original departure date for free or cancel for a travel credit instead.

Jetstar is offering customers a free date change up to seven days before and up to 14 days after their original travel date, or a voucher to the value of their untravelled flights.

Rex passengers with flights booked before March 4 to or from Brisbane Airport can rebook or request a travel credit.

MORE:1.88m Aussie homes in path of Cyclone Alfred’s fury

Greyhound cancels bus services

It is not just travellers who planned to fly that will be affected.

Greyhound Australia has cancelled all bus services entering and exiting Brisbane from 1pm on Thursday and throughout the weekend.

“​All Greyhound services in South East Queensland will remain cancelled this weekend for the safety of our passengers, team members, and general public,” the statement read.

“Greyhound Australia is closely monitoring Tropical Cyclone Alfred and updates from the state government in conjunction with the Bureau of Meteorology and emergency services.

Services will be cancelled from 1pm AEST today, Thursday 8 March, and remain cancelled until Sunday 9 March between Brisbane and Hervey Bay (including the Sunshine Coast), Brisbane and Toowoomba, and Brisbane and Byron Bay (including the Gold Coast).”

Affected passengers can rebook for free or request a travel credit.

Like the airlines, the bus company has acknowledged people who have booked may no longer wish to travel even if services are running.

Passengers booked on Greyhound services to or from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast regions between Wednesday, March 5 and Sunday, March 9 can move their travel to a new date free of charge, or cancel and request a travel credit.

Why it’s too late to buy travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies help affected travellers claim out-of-pocket costs like prepaid accommodation or meals during long travel delays, but if you are planning to rush off and get cover now, it is unlikely to help.

Travellers generally need to have purchased a policy prior to a weather event being widely known in the media.

Natalie Ball, managing director for Comparetravelinsurance.com.au, said some travel insurers rely on specific media publication dates about a weather event, whereas others publish purchase cut-off dates on their website.

“It’s not uncommon to see a spike in policy sales once an event like this hits the media,” Ms Ball said.

“In essence, if you’re buying a policy because you expect you will be affected by a major weather event, you would likely not be covered”.

She said domestic travel insurance is often overlooked, but this type of unexpected event is exactly why it is useful.

However, travel insurance does not cover you for a change of mind.

“If Cyclone Alfred directly affects your trip, you’ll likely be covered,” Ms Ball said. “But if you’re outside the impact zone and just don’t want to go, you may not have a successful claim.”

Originally published as Cyclone Alfred: More than 320 flights cancelled at Brisbane Airport