Cyclone Alfred’s threat to air travel along the east coast as airlines start cancelling flights

Flight schedules are in for a major shake-up in coming days as Cyclone Alfred closes in on the east coast, with services into one airport already cancelled.

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Brisbane Airport has vowed to continue to operate for as long as airlines schedule flights in and out, as Cyclone Alfred approached the city bringing destructive winds and heavy rain.

Queensland’s major gateway issued the update late on Wednesday, saying it would remain open for emergency and aeromedical flights “while it is safe to do so”.

At the same time, Gold Coast and Coffs Harbour Airport closed their doors in response to deteriorating conditions, with airlines suspending flights into those centres.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia also axed flights into Ballina Byron Bay Airport on Wednesday due to bad weather, and Qantas placed services to Lord Howe ­Island on hold.

Cyclone Alfred remains a category 2 storm, and is forecast to make landfall between Maroochydore and Coolangatta early on Friday. As well as dangerous surf, Alfred was expected to whip up winds of 120km/h, with damaging gusts of 155km/h, and deliver heavy rain.

Australian and International Pilots Association vice-president and technical and safety director Steve Cornell said such conditions would impact the safety of aircraft, which was why airlines cancelled flights.

He said crosswinds blowing at right angles to airport runways were a threat to safe operation of aircraft, as was the reduction in visibility which came from heavy rainfall.

“There are lots of other considerations for airlines and airports in these circumstances,” said Captain Cornell. “Let’s say you do manage to land your jet at Brisbane Airport – then it may be so windy you can’t actually open the doors.”

Airlines have cancelled flights into Ballina Byron Gateway Airport on Wednesday due to deteriorating weather conditions.

He said there were wind strength limitations on both the cargo doors and passenger doors, which meant sometimes passengers could disembark, but the cargo hold could not be opened.

Then there was the matter of safety on the tarmac, with strong winds, heavy rain and particularly lightning posing a danger to the many ground operations staff.

“You need to have staff to unload these aircraft, you need to have refuellers, and engineers ­waling around checking the aircraft,” Captain Cornell said.

“If there’s storm activity, none of that stuff can happen, and even if it’s not a lightning storm, there’ll be a hazard assessment on having people out on the tarmac.”

He said it was possible any airport in the firing line of Cyclone Alfred could close at some point as a result of the severe weather conditions.

Access to airports was another issue in such events, with roads to Brisbane and Gold Coast Airport prone to flooding.

Captain Cornell said decision to cancel flights was up to the airlines, with safety of customers and people taking the highest priority at all times.

Airservices Australia was also involved in the process, with a spokeswoman confirming they were engaging directly with airlines and airports to ensure a “co-ordinated response”.

“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,” said the spokeswoman.

A Qantas spokesman said the situation remained “fluid and flight cancellations and delays would evolve over coming days”.

“We have proactively cancelled a number of flights today from southeast Queensland and northern NSW,” he said.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience and understanding.”

Gold Coast Airport confirmed plans to close from 4pm on Wednesday, and advised travellers their airlines would be in touch to reschedule flights.

“The terminal building will be closed and there will be no public access during this time,” said a statement from the airport.

All major airlines are offering free flight changes or travel credits for people with bookings to affected airports within 14 days of scheduled travel.