Flights to and from Tropical Cyclone Alfred affected area cancelled

A new round of flights between Adelaide and Brisbane and the Gold Coast have been cancelled, with airlines issuing an update for travellers.

South Australians woke on Thursday to discover more flights to and from Tropical Cyclone Alfred affected areas are cancelled.

Most Adelaide flights to and from Brisbane have been cancelled on Thursday, with only a few departures in the morning and arrivals in the afternoon set to take off.

An Adelaide Airport spokesman confirmed all flights departing to Brisbane from Adelaide after VA1393 at 10.10am have been cancelled with many Brisbane arrivals also set to be grounded.

“The last flight to arrive today in Adelaide from Brisbane is VA1394 at 4.20pm — all arrivals from Brisbane after that have been cancelled,” he said.

The latest round of cancellations comes after an announcement yesterday that all flights between Adelaide and Gold Coast would be cancelled on Thursday.

“For flights on Friday, we advise passengers to check with their carrier for the latest information,” the spokesman said.

Ahead of the cancellations, Virgin has announced all customers travelling on Virgin Australia services to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast airports from Tuesday March 4 to Saturday March 8 inclusive can choose to move their flight to a new date within 14 days of the original departure date free of charge.

“We understand people may no longer wish to fly to or from areas which may be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so we are making it easier for guests to change their travel plans,” a Virgin spokeswoman said.

Qantas and Jetstar passengers have offered their own arrangements for passengers flying in and out of the cyclone affected areas.

“We realise that this is a challenging time for many of our customers and are offering additional flexibility including travel credits and fee free date changes to those who have booked flights to or from the impacted areas,” a Qantas Group spokesman said.

Flights between Adelaide Airport and Gold Coast Airport have been cancelled due to Cyclone Alfred. Picture Emma Brasier

Adelaide Airport will monitor the rapidly changing situation in Queensland, as more flights could be cancelled in the coming days.

Adelaide Airport suggests that travellers closely monitor their flights, and to contact their airlines if they are affected.

The cancellations are in response to the first cyclone to hit the region in 50 years, with reports it could yet strengthen into a category 3 system – although that possibility is decreasing – before it makes landfall, which on Thursday morning was predicted to be late Friday, or Saturday morning.

Originally published as Flights to and from Tropical Cyclone Alfred affected area cancelled