Travel from Cairns Airport: Virgin Australia flights cancellations, delays, tips

Flying after the Covid restrictions were eased has proven no easy task and there’s one thing Cairns Airport says you must do before you leave.

TRAVELLERS keen to travel within Australia over the school holidays have been left stranded as cancelled flights and staff shortages plague the aviation industry.

Melbourne tourist Majoosh Mathew said leaving Cairns was a nightmare.

“There was a lot of mixed communication and a lot of false information,” he said.

His original flight to Melbourne on July 10 had been cancelled a few days before, so he re-booked only for Virgin to reschedule the second flight as well.

After about four hours of being on hold Mr Mathew was told his second flight had been overbooked and he would have to wait ten days for another one.

“They said there were no flights until July 20. Which is again another 10 days,” he said.

Mr Mathew who travelled with his wife and small kids, eventually returned home but was required to stopover in Sydney to get there.

Besides cancellations and overbookings there are many whose flights were delayed ahead of their journey.

Katrina Robinson from Brisbane said one of her flights was delayed for three hours but it didn’t worry her.

“I was nervous leading up to our flight because we had heard about all the cancellations,” she said.

“We have been very lucky we haven’t had cancellations.”

Mareeba travel agent Ida Portella said it was important to prepare for the worst as Covid plagues the aviation industry.

“If you can, reconfirm your flight. Even if you go and check online that the flight is still departing,” she said.

“If they do make a change, they usually send an email. So make sure your details are correct.”

Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said it was disappointing that plans had been disrupted.

Mareeba travel agent Ida Portella. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

“Airlines have unfortunately been required to cancel some flights, primarily due to staff shortages related to illness,” he said.

“They are working to operate more flights and bigger aircraft when they can, and re-accommodate travellers to other flights.”

Mr Barker said anyone travelling should pre-book car transfers where possible before they land in Cairns.

“We are in a busy period, so it is a good idea to arrive at the airport a bit earlier than you normally would,” he said.

A Virgin Australia Group spokesperson said a full refund or travel credit was offered if they couldn’t offer another flight option.

“Where possible, Virgin Australia is proactively communicating with guests who have been impacted by a schedule change,” they said.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT CONCERNS

Jetstar’s decision to suspend direct services to Bali has raised concerns among travel agents whether it will resume flights from another international destination next week.

Travel agent Mercedes Gonzales said she was wary if Jetstar was cancelling flights because of lack of staff.

Cairns. Travel agent Mercedes Gonzales at Palm Cove beach, Cairns. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“I am cautious about the Tokyo starts next Wednesday,” she said.

“So all eyes are on that at the moment.”

Travel agent Ida Portella said she wasn’t sure how the Japan flights would work.

“With Japan the thing that concerns me is you can only go into Japan as a group,” she said.

“You can’t travel independently. I believe that’s going to be a problem.”

Ms Portella said Jetstar shouldn’t advertise flights too far in advance.

“I am worried about Jetstar. I know a lot of people including myself (have) booked the direct flights (and) they’ve been diverted,” she said.

A Jetstar plane lands at Melbourne Airport. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Four flights are set to travel between Narita International Airport (Tokyo) and Cairns each week.

A further four flights between Kansai International Airport (Osaka) and Cairns are due to begin operating later in July.

Originally published as Travel from Cairns Airport: Virgin Australia flights cancellations, delays, tips