Dozens of flights cancelled and long delays at major Australian airports: Here’s what’s causing the chaos
- At least 50 flights cancelled in Sydney on Friday
- Flow-on effect of air traffic controller shortage
- Strong winds adding to airport chaos
Travellers have been warned to expect major delays and flight cancellations as chaos strikes Australia’s busiest airports for a second consecutive day.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have already cancelled at least 50 flights on Friday morning, a day after many were either delayed or cancelled along Australia’s east coast.
The widespread delays and cancellations were caused by a severe shortage of air traffic controllers calling in sick, which led to the closure of airspace to south of Brisbane.
The disruptions impacted on thousands of travellers and continue to have a knock-on effect across the country on Friday morning.
Strong westerly winds forecast for Sydney has added to the chaos.
There were busy scenes at Sydney Airport early Friday (pictured), where a number of flights have already been cancelled
‘Sydney Airport has been advised by Airservices Australia that single runway operations will be in place today due to strong winds,’ a spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As a result, there are some flight delays and cancellations. Airlines are working hard to re-accommodate passengers and get them on their way.
‘If passengers have questions regarding the status of their flight, we encourage them to contact their airline.’
Thousands of passengers have already streamed through Sydney Airport and formed lengthy queues as the NSW school holidays kick off.
‘It’s a long queue so we’re going to be here for a bit,’ one family told Sunrise.
One woman added: ‘Got here on time but they’re running late.’
One holidaymaker arrived at the airport to travel to the Gold Coast before learning his flight had been cancelled and rescheduled for Saturday afternoon.
Frustrated passengers have taken to social media to vent their anger on Friday after their flights were cancelled.
A shortage of air traffic controllers in Brisbane on Thursday caused widespread disruptions to flights along Australia’s east coast, which have had a flow-on effect
‘Cheers @VirginAustralia for the text as I’m travelling to the airport from the country saying my 9:30am flight melb>syd is now at 4:30pm. No seats left on any flight for the next 7hrs? Business must be good. It’s ok only 2 hours till the customer service line opens!’ one woman fumed.
Another traveller tweeted: @VirginAustralia cancelled a flight leaving us all trying to figure out what’s going on & they have not a single employee here to help.’
A third wrote: ‘Jetstar please stop cancelling flights to Sydney.’
Qantas told Daily Mail Australia a number of services will be delayed and cancelled in Sydney due to weather resulting in single runway operations.
Passengers will be moved onto the next available flight.
A single runway operation is expected to remain in place at Sydney Airport until late Friday afternoon.
‘All guests impacted by cancellations today are being recovered onto the next available flights, with the majority recovered today,’ a Virgin Australia spokeswoman said.
‘We apologise to any guest impacted by delayed or cancelled services and we are working tirelessly to ensure all guests reach their final destination.’
Travellers at Sydney Airport faced lengthy delays on Friday morning as the NSW school holidays kicked off
Jetstar said at least 12 flights have been cancelled on Friday, adding that the airline is working hard to reaccommodate passengers on alternative services as quickly as possible.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a strong wind warning for much of NSW coast from Port Macquarie right down to Batemans Bay.
Qantas said 100 flights had been delayed across the group on Thursday while 10 services were cancelled because of the airspace restrictions.
Virgin Australia also felt the brunt with flights to and from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ballina forced to operate around the uncontrolled airspace, which added time and distance.
The airline also cancelled 28 flights on Thursday.
Around 2.3million travellers are expected to go through Sydney Airport over the next two weeks making it one of the busiest school holiday periods since pre-Covid.
Qantas was forced to cancel 10 flights on Thursday because of airspace restrictions
