Far North Queensland floods: Please don’t cancel, officials beg tourists

More than 10,000 travellers have had their plans thwarted by the far north Queensland flood disaster that inundated busy Cairns airport and forced the cancellation of 102 flights.

A flooded area at Cairns Airport on Monday. Picture: AFP

More than 10,000 travellers have had their plans thwarted by the far north Queensland flood disaster that inundated busy Cairns airport and forced the cancellation of 102 flights.

Thousands of litres of water were pumped from the airport’s runway on Monday and flights were expected to start again on Tuesday, but delays and disruptions are expected to continue for days.

Local authorities begged tourists not to cancel their trips to the region after Cyclone Jasper and the flood crisis robbed the tourism industry of at least $60m because of cancellations of forward bookings since December 5.

Water from the neighbouring Barron River breached the Cairns airport flood levee for the first time during the disaster on Sunday. More than 10,000 travellers were affected by the cancellation of 102 flights, including a dozen international, on Sunday and Monday.

Cairns airport chief executive Richard Barker said significant remediation work had been undertaken, including the removal of water and debris.

“We are happy to report the runway is now clear and the runway lighting is operational, so the aerodrome is serviceable for aircraft movements,” an airport spokeswoman said on Monday afternoon.

“Airlines will now assess their own flight operations and procedures to determine when they can recommence services at Cairns airport.”

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Terry James said having a functioning airport meant “absolutely everything” for the region, ensuring supplies, assistance and visitors.

“We will get back online pretty quick, this is what we practice for,” Mr James said.

“The centre of the city and the hotels are all fine. It is the small tourism operators up north in Port Douglas, the Daintree, they are the ones we need you to come up and help.”

It was a sentiment echoed by Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr, who urged people with plans to visit the tourism-dependent region not to scrap their holidays.

“If you have tickets to come up here in the next few weeks, please don’t cancel,” Mr Kerr said.

“The road is still open and we will look after you.”

While summer is not peak season in the tropics, Tourism Tropical North Queensland believes this month’s weather events have robbed the region of $60m since early December.

However chief executive Mark Olsen says the full extent of damage to the industry won’t be seen until the recovery is under way.

“We have another tough week ahead as we assess the damage and map our way forward,” Mr Olsen said. “We are resilient, and we will recover. However, the industry will need assistance to rebuild and recover. It will take a few days to assess the impact on the industry.”

Cancellations have been weighing heavily on local businesses, with Queensland Hotel Association chief executive Bernie Hogan concerned about the enduring impact of missing forward bookings just as the local industry was getting back on track

“Over the last month we’ve been fast approaching 2019 levels, which has been excellent,” Mr Hogan said. “This comes at a poor time as the industry was just starting to get their roll on and look forward again. That is why it is called a disaster.”