No cheap rooms left at the inn for stranded passengers

The travel plans of passengers were thrown into disarray when wild winds caused flights to be cancelled, delayed and diverted – and then came the problem of finding somewhere to stay.

HUNDREDS of people were left scrambling for a place to sleep after strong winds sent Hobart Airport into chaos on Thursday.

The wild weather caused flights to be cancelled, delayed and diverted, throwing the travel plans of passengers into disarray.

Jetstar flight JQ720 to Sydney and Tigerair flight TT504 to Melbourne were both cancelled.

There were no further delays on Friday morning.

CHAOS: HOW THE DAY UNFOLDED

Victorian mother Breanna Hare was told by Tigerair that the next available flight that would fit her, partner Ashleigh and daughter Kaiabelle wasn’t until Monday morning at 9am.

Breanna Hare with daughter Kaiabelle, 5, of Metung in Victoria, had their flight to Melbourne cancelled. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Kaiabelle, 5, set herself up in a corner of the airport with some books and a blanket for several hours while the family tried to work out their next move.

“We have no idea what to do, we’re stuck,” Ms Hare told the Mercury.

“We’ve cancelled our shifts at work, extended out airport parking in Melbourne and contacted our Airbnb host, who is letting us stay at his private home for the night in Blackmans Bay.

“Another hire car just cost us $150 for 24 hours, nearby accommodation has skyrocketed to between $400 and $600 a night and all the other airlines are way too expensive.”

Significant delays of up to four hours were experienced on 12 departing flights across the day with Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Qantas.

Three flights — JQ707 from Melbourne, JQ721 from Sydney and TT851 from the Gold Coast — were forced to divert to Launceston.

Passengers were then provided bus transportation back to Hobart.

A crowded departure lounge at Hobart Airport as flights were delayed or cancelled. Picture: AMANDA DUCKER

Robyn Begg, of Cronulla, was on board the Sydney flight that made several circuits above Kempton before diverting via the Tasman Peninsula.

She labelled the dramatic ordeal “exciting”.

“We had a lot of turbulence, we were rocking and rolling,” Ms Begg said as she stepped off the bus.

“All of a sudden he went whoosh straight up in the air and that’s when the pilot said we may have to go to Launceston.

“When we landed everyone gave the pilot a clap and a cheer.

“It’s been a long day but it all turned out fine and everyone is safe. I was unfazed.”

Adrienne Meer, of Melbourne, was a passenger on one of the diverted Jetstar flights.

“It was scary, there were a lot of sick bags out,” she said.

“We came down to land in Hobart twice and picked up again and took off.”

Christie Mantzouridis with Emily Taylor and her son Calvin from the Blue Mountains finally arrived in Hobart after their Sydney flight was diverted to Launceston. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Airlines of Tasmania managing director Shannon Wells said the weather conditions in Hobart were not ideal for flying large jets due to a phenomenon known as “wind shear”.

Speaking from the nearby Cambridge Airport, Mr Wells said he had seen several aircraft abort approaches to Hobart Airport during the afternoon.

“A sea breeze has come in and the wind at ground level is a southerly and the wind in the air is a northerly,” he said.

“When they mix it causes a wind shear and they have to abort the approach — the approach becomes unstable and they’re required to put full power on and take off. It usually happens for about 10 minutes at a time but it’s dragged on for hours today.”

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Luke Martin said he was certain accommodation operators would not intentionally adjust their prices to take advantage of flight disruptions.

“The city is already very busy, and I’m not surprised to hear people having to make last-minute bookings are struggling to find low-cost options,” he said.

“I encourage anyone stranded to jump on line and look outside the CBD for some low-cost options.”