Wild winds force pilots to abort landings at Hobart Airport

UPDATED: Grounded flights have started leaving Hobart Airport but stranded passengers face lengthy delays. Meanwhile, an aviation expert explains why the planes could not land.

UPDATE: Grounded flights started taking off again just before 5pm but all remaining flights today have been delayed as a result.

Jetstar flight JQ680 to Adelaide left an hour and five minutes late at 6.50pm, Qantas flight QF1016 took off an hour and 25 minutes after its set departure time of 5.50pm and Virgin flight VA1333 to Melbourne was an hour and 17 minutes behind schedule.

The Hobart Airport website is also indicating a scheduled 10.35pm Jetstar flight to Melbourne is not likely to depart until midnight.

EARLIER: 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.

“Then they told us we were going to Launceston, I suppose that was better than going back to Melbourne.

“The bus driver was great and I think a lot of people just had a little sleep.”

Robyn Begg, of Cronulla, was a passenger on the Sydney flight that turned back and landed in Launceston.

She labelled the dramatic ordeal “exciting”.

“We had a lot of turbulence, we were rocking and rolling,” Ms Begg said.

“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.

“It’s been a long day, we left home at 8.15am this morning, but it all turned out fine and everyone is safe. I was unfazed.

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

EARLIER: Breanna Hare of Victoria and her family, were meant to be on the cancelled Tiger flight back to Melbourne.

Ms Hare’s partner Ashleigh was told by the airline that they would refund their flights but could not put them on another.

“We were delayed, then it just disappeared off the board and then 40 minutes after it had disappeared it was cancelled,” Ms Hare said.

“We have no idea what to do. All the accommodation has skyrocketed to between $600 and $800 a night.

“There’s backpackers and even they’re over $100 for a shared dorm.

“We’re stuck, we handed back our car and checked out of our Airbnb.

“Once we get back to Melbourne we’ve got a further four hour drive home to Metung.”

Her daughter Kaiabelle, 5, has set herself up in a corner of the airport with some books and a blanket.

Meanwhile, 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 ten minutes at a time but it’s dragged on for hours today. It’s just a weird weather day today.”

He said there was a statewide warning in place for aviators for severe turbulence across the state.

EARLIER: Hobart’s Airport is a scene of chaos after the diversion of several flights and the cancellation of others due to high winds this afternoon.

Mercury reporter Chanel Kinniburgh reports long lines at airport ticket counters and many passengers trying to rearrange travel plans or alert relatives and friends about delays by phone.

Some passengers report having been in queues for more than an hour.

Others have taken every available seat at the airport and some are waiting for their delayed flights sitting or lying on the floor.

EARLIER: Christie Mantzouridis was travelling from Sydney to Hobart with her friend Emily Taylor and Ms Taylor’s son Calvin aboard Jetstar flight JQ721.

The women are friends from Blue Mountains and were on their way to Hobart for short break.

Ms Mantzouridis said that during the aborted landing in Hobart people were very nervous and many had sick bags out but said she was more shocked than scared.

“We are well travelled but have never experienced anything like that before. It was quite unexpected but we were unfazed. We had faith in Jetstar,” she said.”

The trio were on their way from Launceston to Hobart by bus.

Christie Mantzouridis, Emily Taylor and her son Calvin Taylor were among passengers whose flight was diverted from Hobart to Launceston.

EARLIER: A Jetstar flight from Hobart to Sydney has been cancelled after disruptions caused by strong winds.

A Hobart Airport spokesman said JQ720 which was due to depart Hobart for Sydney at 1.30pm, and had been delayed to 4.35pm, had now been cancelled.

In addition, Tigerair flight TT851 from the Gold Coast, due to land in Hobart at 2.40pm, has been diverted to Launceston.

Passengers whose flights are affected are urged to contact their airlines for updates.

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

EARLIER: A Jetstar spokesman said passengers diverted to Launceston were being taken to Hobart by bus.

“Two of our flights into Hobart diverted to Launceston today due to strong winds,” he said in a statement.

“Both flights landed normally in Launceston and customers were provided bus transportation to Hobart.

“We apologise to customers for the disruption to their travel plans but safety is our number one priority.”

Long lines of passengers at Hobart Airport as flights are delayed and cancelled due to gusty winds. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

EARLIER: TWO flights forced by wind shear to divert to Launceston rather than landing at Hobart International Airport have just touched down to cheers and clapping.

Jetstar flight JQ707 from Melbourne was due to land at 12.35pm, but headed north with a rescheduled arrival time of 1.30pm.

Jetstar flight JQ721 from Sydney made several circuits above Kempton before diverting via the Tasman Peninsula. It has also landed safely at Launceston.

A plane tracker showing the Jetstar flight circling Hobart Airport. Image: flightradar24.com

A passenger aboard the flight from Sydney texted a Mercury reporter from the air saying the flight felt like a rollercoaster as it neared Hobart, and again before it landed at Launceston.

Sydney man James Ricketson said the first landing attempt of the flight was aborted at the last moment.

“We made one aborted landing and then a very steep and bumpy climb away from the airport.

“It is the bumpiest flight I have ever been on.”

Old mate ain’t having much fun coming into HBA pic.twitter.com/8pHPygZeqy

— Shannon Wells (@shannon_wells) November 21, 2019

Mr Ricketson said the captain announced minutes later that “we are executing a turnaround”.

“The crew is very calm and considerate,” Mr Ricketson texted during the turbulent flight.

He said his flight landed to cheers and clapping from passengers: “There is lots of relieved laughter.”

Comment is being sought from Jetstar.

A Hobart Airport spokesman said a cold front had moved through the area about 1pm, bringing high winds.

Two Jetstar flights had been unable to land and had diverted to Launceston.

Two Virgin flights were waiting for conditions to improve before they depart.

And another flight which was inbound was waiting to see what conditions were like before deciding whether to land or divert.

Passengers are urged to check with their airlines to find out the status of their flights.

The arrivals and departures boards at Hobart Airport at 2.30pm. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

And after all that, still couldn’t get the thing down pic.twitter.com/FBd5hF0Q4j

— Craig Perkins (@CraigAPerkins) November 21, 2019

Hobart Airport’s website is showing delays to arrivals for five flights involving Jetstar, Qantas and Tigerair from Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Seven outbound flights to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are also facing delays.

Passengers from the diverted flights will either return by air to Hobart after refuelling, or by bus.

A Jetstar spokesman said passengers diverted to Launceston were being transported to Hobart by bus.

MORE TO COME …

Two Jetstar planes have been forced to abort their landings because of wild winds at Hobart Airport.