‘Business as usual’ at airports ahead of Cyclone Alfred’s arrival in southeast Queensland

Airlines are offering customers free flight changes in and out of airports in the path of Cyclone Alfred.

Airports and airlines are watching Cyclone Alfred closely as they weigh up the call to cancel flights out of southeast Queensland, with travellers being given the option of changing their bookings free of charge.

A Brisbane Airport spokesman said, ultimately, the decision would be made by Airservices Australia.

Currently fluctuating between a category 1 and 2 storm, Cyclone Alfred is expected to strengthen slightly before crossing the southeast Queensland coast late on Thursday or early Friday.

Wind gusts of up to 120km/h pose the biggest threat to air safety, along with lightning strikes, which have the potential to knock out power to air traffic control towers.

An Airservices spokeswoman said their teams were preparing for the likely impacts on operations, with a primary focus on safety.

“We are engaging directly with airlines, airports, and other stakeholders to ensure our response is coordinated with industry,” said the spokeswoman.

“While airspace is not generally closed in response to weather conditions, airlines may decide not to fly in adverse conditions and airports can elect to close.”

She said decisions on flight cancellations were a matter for airlines rather than Airservices but added there was the potential for airborne and ground delays if weather impacted staff availability or facilities.

“Airservices has put staff contingency plans and emergency operational assets in place, including backup power supplies, to help us provide necessary support to Australia’s aviation sector throughout the coming days,” she said.

“Emergency services may require ongoing access and Airservices will look to support these requirements.”

Until Cyclone Alfred crossed the coast it was expected to be business as usual at airports in Brisbane, and on the Gold and Sunshine coasts, all of which were encouraging travellers to contact airlines for updates.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the company’s “dedicated meteorology team was closely monitoring the cyclone alongside their operations team”.

“We will contact customers directly with any changes to their flights,” he said. “The safety of our customers and people is our main priority.”

An update on the Qantas website said customers booked to fly in or out of airports in Cyclone Alfred’s firing line could change the date by up to 14 days at no cost, or get a travel credit if they did not wish to travel.

Jetstar was also offering fee-free flight changes within 14 days for services in or out of Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ballina-Byron Bay.

“Where possible, we encourage customers to bring forward their flight to travel prior to the evening of Thursday, March 6,” was Jetstar’s advice.

Virgin Australia was taking a similar approach as Cyclone Alfred moved towards the coast.

A Virgin spokeswoman said guests who were booked to fly in or out of southeast Queensland or northern NSW later this week should check the airline’s website.

“Where possible, we will communicate to guests whose flights may be impacted,” said Virgin.

Customers were also entitled to free date changes within 14 days of the booked service, or they could cancel and request a travel credit.

Townsville Airport closed on February 2, due to flooding and mass flight cancellations by airlines. Picture: Adam Head

Brisbane Airport was expected to remain open unless directed to close by Airservices Australia.

The gateway remained open during the city’s devastating 2022 floods, and in 2011, with road access to the airport the main issue.

Last month, Townsville Airport closed when floodwaters hit the city, but a spokeswoman said that was mostly due to the fact airlines halted flights because of strong winds.