Cyclone Jasper aftermath: Cairns Airport closed, flights cancelled

Cairns Airport has been forced to shut down just a week from Christmas which has severely disrupted the travel plans of thousands of Aussies.

Christmas travel plans have been thrown into chaos as a developing flood emergency closed Cairns Airport indefinitely.

The last flight arrivals took place at 12.45pm Sunday and departures were abandoned at 2pm due to rising floodwaters, as the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper continues to batter far north Queensland.

Airport authorities were hopeful flights would resume on Monday, but an update shortly before 8am confirmed otherwise with flights in and out of the airport halted.

“All flights scheduled for today have been cancelled or delayed,” an update issued at 7.45am read on its website and Facebook.

Cairns Airport has closed indefinitely as the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper continues to batter far north Queensland. Picture: Facebook

“The flooding on the aerodrome has subsided. However, given our proximity to the Barron River, there is significant debris that needs to be removed and cleaned.

“We will then be in a position to assess our runway infrastructure, to determine its serviceability.

“This will take some time. As such, we can confirm that operations will not recommence at Cairns Airport today. Please do not travel to the airport today.”

A Cairns Airport spokesperson told news.com.au today was a “clean-up effort” with the hope to resume flights on Tuesday – but this was not guaranteed.

Floods submerge planes on the runway. Picture: Facebook. Photo Joseph Dietz

“Safety is our highest priority. Our team and the wider Cairns Airport community are working tirelessly to enable operations as quickly as possible,” the statement continued.

“Please contact your airline directly for information about specific flights. We also wish to reiterate that our domestic and international terminals, including the car parks, have not been adversely impacted.

All flights scheduled for today have been cancelled or delayed. Picture: Facebook

“We are grateful for your cooperation and understanding. Another update will be posted at approximately 4pm today.”

One of the last planes to land in Cairns before floodwaters closed the airport was a Jetstar flight that left Perth at 11.40pm (WA time) Saturday night.

An airport spokesperson said today is a clean-up effort’ as there is significant debris that needs to be removed and cleaned. Picture: Facebook

The flight would usually arrive in Cairns at 6am but the flight time was extended by over four hours, The Townsville Bulletin reported, after two aborted attempts at landing in Cairns led to it being diverted to Townsville.

Passenger Evelyn Love told the publication that after waiting on the tarmac in Townsville for two hours, the plane again flew to Cairns and successfully landed at 10.15am.

Ms Love slammed Jetstar for failing to accommodate passengers who remained on board during the lengthy stopover.

“Jetstar didn’t offer anyone water or anything. Everyone was so cranky and tired,” she said.

Ms Love added that passengers who hadn’t boarded with their own food had nothing to eat.

“There were several kids on the flight who were upset,” she said.

“And I’m a diabetic so I was shaking. But they said if we left the plane in Townsville we wouldn’t be let back on.”

In a statement, Jetstar said flight JQ979 was diverted to Townsville due to a thunderstorm and heavy rain, it was then refuelled in Townsville before continuing to Cairns.