Travel News: QLD Storm Flight Disruptions Qantas & Virgin

UPDATE: 1730 (530pm) Friday 20 Feb

Cyclone Marcia has now been downgraded to a Category 3 storm but still brings potentially destructive winds.  It is now tracking towards Gladstone with wind gusts of around 170km/h.

UPDATE: 1230pm Friday 20 Feb

Hervey Bay Airport is now closed with all flights for the day cancelled. At this stage flights for Saturday 21 Feb are still running.

Hamilton Island Airport

• Qantas QF2824 has been cancelled
• Virgin Australia VA1497 still operating
• Jetstar JQ846 still operating

Bundaberg Airport - Closed with all flights cancelled.

Gladstone Airport - Closed with all flights cancelled.

Rockhampton Airport - Closed with all flights cancelled.

Gold Coast Airport - Delays continue for flights in/out of Gold Coast (OOL). Several domestic flights have been cancelled and passengers should expect further delays. International flights, including international charter flights, have been able to land and depart with small delays.

Brisbane Airport - Flights are still operating with delays and some cancellations for both domestic and international.

Spokesperson for Brisbane Airport Leonie Vandeven said "Arrival rates have been reduced at BNE today due to poor visibility, which will lead to delays across the national flight network.

More than 40 flights, mainly to/from North Queensland, have already been cancelled due to severe weather conditions with more cancellations likely as the day progresses.

Passengers should check their flight status with their airline and allow extra time when travelling to the airport. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the airlines and airport staff do their utmost to manage flight schedules and keep travellers and crews safe during this severe weather event."

To change or cancel QLD flights:
Please contact your original travel consultant who can help with all changes and/or cancellations.

To check arrival or departure times:
Please check with the airline direct or the airport website for the latest arrival and departure information. [EOM]

UPDATE FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY: 

Cyclone Marcia has made landfall on the Queensland coast between St Lawrence and Yepoon and according to reports, has developed into a Category 5 storm.

Higher than normal tides, dangerous surf, wind gusts exceeding 250km/h and rainfall of up to 500mm are forecast in areas across the coastline.  There is a high risk of tidal and flash flooding.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia projected direction.

The following Queensland, plus other regional airports in the area have suspended all incoming and outgoing flights:

• Gladstone
• Rockhampton
• Mackay

The following airports remain open however there are some flight delays and cancellations as the storm tracks south. This will likely change.

• Hervey Bay
• Hamilton Island Airport

Marcia is expected to continue tracking south and weaken, however heavy rain and potentially strong winds are anticipated as far south as the northern NSW coast through tomorrow.  People in the current path of the storm have been advised to stay indoors and away from all waterways. Some have been evacuated.

Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast

All three airports have been affected by flight delays and cancellations.

Spokesperson for Brisbane Airport Leonie Vandeven said "Arrival rates have been reduced at BNE today due to poor visibility, which will lead to delays across the national flight network.

More than 40 flights, mainly to/from North Queensland, have already been cancelled due to severe weather conditions with more cancellations likely as the day progresses.

Passengers should check their flight status with their airline and allow extra time when travelling to the airport. We appreciate your patience and understanding as the airlines and airport staff do their utmost to manage flight schedules and keep travellers and crews safe during this severe weather event."

Cyclone Lam made landfall in the Northern Territory as a Category 4 storm but has now been downgraded to a Category 3.  This storm is not directly impacting any densely populated areas although some communities have been evacuated as the region faces wind gusts over 230km/h.

Please refer to the airport sites and/or the airlines directly if you have any questions about operating schedules over the next 24 hours. For any urgent changes or cancellations to the affected regions please contact your travel consultant directly.

Tropical Cyclone Marcia is currently around 600km north-east of Bundaberg (at time of print) and heading towards the Queensland coast.  The storm is expected to develop into a category 2 cyclone by the time it reaches landfall early Friday morning.

Marcia is expected to cross the coast near Yeppoon, north of Rockhampton and the weather bureau's warning zone has been extended from Mackay to Double Island Point, north of Gympie.

Although not expected to reach land until early tomorrow, heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for much of the Queensland coast today. The region between Mackay and the New South Wales border may receive up to 300mm of rain in the next 24 hours with up to 500mm by Saturday.  This area includes Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

Coastal towns north of Brisbane have been advised to prepare for flash flooding and people who are attempting to travel to or from the region may find themselves cut off.  The Brisbane and Gold Coast councils are also preparing for flooding.

Airports Still operating Thursday 19 February:
At this stage, flights are operating as normal in and out of Brisbane, Gold Coast and Maroochydore airports.

Virgin Australia (VA)

Any guests holding a valid Virgin Australia ticket that may be directly affected by adverse weather and heavy rainfalls affecting Queensland and Northern New South Wales and as a result, need to change their travel plans, are able to change or cancel without additional fare, taxes and change fees. Tickets must have been issued on or before 19 February 2015 with departures between 19 February 2015 and 21 February 2015 inclusive. All changes must be made prior to the original ticketed departure.

Ports affected:

• Rockhampton (ROK)
• Gladstone (GLT)
• Hervey Bay (HVB)
• Bundaberg (BDB)
• Maroochydore (MCY)
• Brisbane (BNE)
• Coolangatta (OOL)
• Ballina (BNK)
• Port Macquarie (PQQ)

Qantas (QF)

Qantas have issued the following advice:

Weather conditions associated with Tropical Cyclone Marcia will disrupt travel arrangements for all services to/from Bundaberg and Hervey Bay with flights suspended until further notice.

All passengers with impacted bookings will be notified by Qantas or their travel consultant directly and re-accommodated onto alternative services. Please contact your travel consultant to see if your booking has been impacted.

Ports closed to Qantas flights:

• Bundaberg
• Harvey Bay

Further updates will be advised. For any travel related quiry please contact your travel consultant for more information on 1300 463 080.

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