Major airlines Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin expect return to normal after three-days of chaos
The major airlines are hoping for a return to normal on Monday after hundreds of cancellations stranded thousands of passengers in airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over three days of chaos amid the school holidays.
Major airlines are hoping for a return to normal on Monday after hundreds of cancellations stranded thousands of passengers in airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over three days of chaos amid the school holidays.
A Qantas spokeswoman said operations were expected to return to normal after three days of disruptions caused by inclement weather and air traffic restrictions.
“Qantas is continuing to recover passengers as a result of significant disruptions from weather and air traffic restrictions over the past few days as well as crew availability,” she said.
“We’re working hard to get everyone to their destinations.”
Qantas and Jetstar flights made up the bulk of cancellations at airports in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane over Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It is understood unplanned leave among air traffic controllers at Brisbane Airport on Friday had a knock-on effect on flights in other major cities.
On Friday, an Airservices Australia spokeswoman confirmed that airspace restrictions on Thursday were from “short-term, unplanned air traffic controller leave impacting en route airspace between Sydney and Brisbane”.
Flights to and from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ballina were forced to operate around the uncontrolled airspace, which added time and distance.
Extra passengers because of school holidays also increased pressure on airports.
Virgin is not anticipating further cancellations and delays on Monday, with just five flights cancelled on Sunday.
“Multiple air traffic control shortages on Thursday and Friday as well as a weather-related reduction to one runway at Sydney Airport on Friday caused a number of crew displacements and operational issues across the network,” a spokesperson said.
“We apologise to anyone impacted by delayed or cancelled services and continue to work hard to ensure our guests reach their destinations.”
Some 17 domestic flights scheduled to depart Sydney Airport on Sunday were cancelled before midday. All were being operated by Qantas and Jetstar.
More than 100 flights have been cancelled at Sydney Airport in the past two days, with the transit hub already under extra strain from the start of school holidays.
The commuter chaos extended north to Brisbane, with nine flights cancelled by 10am, and south to Melbourne, where 14 domestic flights had been cancelled by the early afternoon.
Wind gusts up to 61km/h hit Sydney Airport on Saturday.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING: NCA newsWIRE
More Coverage
Dutton nuclear plan ‘economic madness’
Jim Chalmers has fired the first salvo in what is likely to be a sustained campaign of economic attacks by Labor on Peter Dutton’s nuclear plan, to be driven by the Treasurer himself.
China envoy: respect our claims
China’s top diplomat in Canberra has challenged Australia to remedy ‘misunderstandings’ on Taiwan and show ‘respect’ for Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.