Tourists warned, flights cancelled in Cairns ahead of Cyclone Jasper

Airlines have cancelled flights and the airport is preparing to close ahead of Cyclone Jasper making landfall in Cairns.

Airlines have cancelled flights in and out of Cairns as Cyclone Jasper is expected to make landfall early on Wednesday morning.

Authorities are warning Queenslanders in the path of the tropical cyclone they will be impacted by dangerous weather within a few hours.

The Bureau of Meteorology says Jasper will produce damaging winds of up to 120km/h along the Queensland coast between Cape Flattery and Townsville, including Cairns, on Tuesday.

Not only will residents have to contend with dangerous winds before the storm hits, but Jasper has already produced a storm tide that’s affecting coastal areas between Cooktown and Townsville.

Those in the ‘red zone’ for storm surge have been told to prepare for isolation. Picture: Disaster Cairns

‘Do not come’: Aussie airport’s warning

Cairns Airport is planning to close on Tuesday evening.

“Cairns Airport operations are progressively winding down and will likely cease this evening. A number of airlines have cancelled or rescheduled services,” the airport said in an 11am update, urging travellers to contact their airline for further advice.

It confirmed the domestic and international airport would be closed on Wednesday.

“Please do not come out to the airport,” the statement said. “Cairns Airport operations will recommence when it is safe to do so.”

Cairns Airport will close on Tuesday evening. Picture: Brendan Radke

Virgin Australia has cancelled all 26 flights in and out of Cairns from 8pm Tuesday through to Thursday morning.

“We continue to closely monitor Tropical Cyclone Jasper and we are proactively communicating with guests whose flights are impacted, in order to provide as much notice as possible. The safety of our guests and crew is always our top priority,” a Virgin Australia spokesperson told news.com.au.

Customers on cancelled flights have been moved to the next available flight. If this is not suitable, the customer can request a refund or travel credit.

As at 2pm, Cairns Airport’s arrivals board shows Virgin Australia’s flights will be the last to land in Cairns on Tuesday, with all other airlines cancelling their evening flights.

A Brisbane Virgin Australia flight is scheduled to land at 4.10pm, a Sydney flight at 5.45pm and a Melbourne flight at 6.55pm.

Virgin Australia is also scheduled to have the last flights out of Cairns at 4.50pm, 6.25pm and 7.45pm.

The arrivals and departure board for Cairns Airport is full of cancellations. Picture: Cairns Airport

Jetstar and Qantas have cancelled flights in and out of Cairns from Tuesday evening through Wednesday.

Jetstar customers with bookings to or from Cairns up to Sunday are being offered the option to bring their flight forward or select another flight within 14 days of their original departure free of charge.

They can also request a voucher if they no longer wish to travel.

“The cyclone will impact our operations to/from Cairns which has resulted in some flight cancellations in the coming days,” Jetstar said. “We have contacted customers whose flights are impacted.”

Qantas told news.com.au: “Customers have been contacted directly and offered a range of options, including fee-free date changes and refunds.”

Customers scheduled to travel on Wednesday who want to bring their flight forward can contact the airline on 1800 062 241 or [phone].

The national carrier added it was “offering flexibility for those who no longer wish to travel”.

Customers who booked a flight to or from Cairns prior to December 11 for travel between Tuesday and Sunday have been told to contact Qantas on 13 13 13 to discuss their options including a fee-free refund, travel credit or date change up to 14 days from date of travel, subject to availability.

Those who booked through a travel agent are told to contact them directly.

Rex Airlines has cancelled at least seven flights between Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon, according to an update on its website.

Cairns Regional Council warned “campers and caravanners should start packing up now” in an update on Monday.

“If you do not need to be in the area, leaving now is the safest option,” a spokesperson said.

“Travel out of the warning area. Check road conditions and plan your route before you leave.”

Tropical Cyclone Jasper is due to make landfall early on Wednesday. Picture: WeatherZone

National parks shut in 1200km zone

A 1200km danger zone along a stretch of the Queensland coast is on high alert, with mainland and national parks locked down as Cyclone Jasper gathers steam.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) closed mainland and island national parks and protected areas between Mackay and Cape Melville on Tuesday.

The area covers about 1200km of the Queensland coastline.

Areas such as the Daintree National Park are in the firing line, alongside island areas like Hamilton Island.

- with Newswire