Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[jb747]

I have never heard of any directive "Not to give medium and long haul flights priority into an Australian airport".

I would have thought the airlines would have been up in arms about that.

What is your source?

Actually I don't think they ever gave any priority to long haul ops. There was an exemption for some of the longest flights with regards to ATC holding (reduced to 10 minutes instead of the standard 20), but that was removed last year some time. Supposedly on the grounds of 'fairness'.

It was replaced with a system of 'advisory holding', which has to be one of the sillier things I've ever heard of. I think that ATC think that means you'll have X holding, but, if it's advisory it's unlikely to be there. Mandatory holding makes sense. Anything else won't get past a bean counter.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 19 June, QF1515, the 1520 hours SYD to CBR did not depart until 1706, with arrival at 1754, an hour and 34 minutes late.

The 1740 hours SYD - MCY, QF1578, is expected to depart 40 minutes late at 1820 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Between 1730 and 1846 hours on Sunday 19 June, BNE airport had 40 millimetres of rain - very heavy. Between 1430 and 1921 tonight, SYD airport has had 20 millimetres of rain - far from insignificant.

The result has been delayed flights, with QF540, the 1705 hours SYD - BNE taking off at 1747, about 20 minutes late, but not arriving until about 1943, 68 minutes late. Aircraft is B738 VH-XZM.

The 1310 hours BME across the continent to BNE took off early at 1313 - a good effort - but aircraft B738 VH-XZI is only arriving at 1949, 34 minutes late after being in a holding pattern abive Kilcoy, Queensland.

QF655 (1710 afternoon CNS down to BNE) was airborne at 1738, not very late, but B738 VH-VZE is likely to arrive at around 2010 hours, 55 minutes late.

The 1735 hours SYD - BNE departure, QF542, was in the sky at 1800 but should arrive at 2006 hours which will be 61 minutes late after a fairly lengthy mandatory holding pattern above OOL.

QF493, the 1915 hours SYD - MEL (A332 VH-EBP) was airborne at 2021 and so should pull in to the MEL terminal at around the 2131 hours mark, which would be 41 minutes behind time.

The 2000 BNE - MEL< QF639, took off significantly late at 2147 and so should arrive in the shape of B738 VH-VZC at around 2350 hours, 85 minutes late.

The delayed QF559 from BNE to SYD is cutting it fairly fine regarding the SYD 2300 hours curfew, as it took off at 2140 compared to a pushback timetable of 2045, so it should be at the airport terminal gate at about 2300 rather than 2220 (although it is the touchdown time of about 2255 that is relevant for any curfew discussions). Aircraft is B738 VH-VXU.

 

[JohnK]

The 1735 hours SYD - BNE departure, QF542, was in the sky at 1800 but should arrive at 2006 hours which will be 61 minutes late after a fairly lengthy mandatory holding pattern above OOL.

One of the bumpiest flights I have ever been on and I did not feel comfortable for the duration of the flight. Quite stressed actually. Luckily I slept for most of the flight as I was tired.

The next airtrain was not until 8:44pm and even that was late and then stopped at international for ~5 minutes and finally go into Roma Street stations around 9:30pm. Didn't get into apartment at Milton until just after 10:00pm tired and wet as the Ipswich train was also delayed. Not fun. One of the things I hate about commuting when these delays occur.

Not sure what has become of QFF553, QF557 and QFF559 all going back to SYD much later than scheduled.

 

[Quickstatus]

One of the bumpiest flights I have ever been on and I did not feel comfortable for the duration of the flight. Quite stressed actually. Luckily I slept for most of the flight as I was tired.

The next airtrain was not until 8:44pm and even that was late and then stopped at international for ~5 minutes and finally go into Roma Street stations around 9:30pm. Didn't get into apartment at Milton until just after 10:00pm tired and wet as the Ipswich train was also delayed. Not fun. One of the things I hate about commuting when these delays occur.

Not sure what has become of QFF553, QF557 and QFF559 all going back to SYD much later than scheduled.

Looks like a long night for many: QF553,557,559 departed in a convoy departing BNE for SYD

QF557 (formed by 27min late arriving QF1031 from BME) departed BNE at 2112 (57min late) arriving into SYD at 2222 hrs (1hr20min late)

QF553 (formed by 1hr26min late arriving QF655) departed BNE at 2125 (2hours late) arriving into SYD at 2231hrs (1 hr19min late)

QF559 with curfew anxiety (formed by 1hr20min late arriving QF544 ) departed at 2139 (54min late) and arrived at 2247 (48min late) just in time for the Minister to go to bed

Usually the sequence would be 553,557,559

Sleep well.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 20 June 2016, QF674 (B738 VH-VXS) was timetabled to push back at 0645 but did not take off until 0734 hours, meaning a likely MEL arrival at around 0915, 40 minutes late, ex ADL.

QF600 (0610 hours MEL up to BNE, B738 VH-XZC) took off at 0653 and should arrive at 0856 hours, 36 minutes late.

UPDATE: QF674 has been delayed more than anticipated with arrival now predicted as 0926, 51 minutes late. Interesting that a previous estimate of arrival time made after the aircraft was airborne has to be revised, showing it is not always an 'exact science.' The wet weather in Melbourne cannot be helping.

QF411 (0730 hours SYD - MEL) took off at 0816 with A332 VH-EBE arriving at about 0955, 50 minutes late. QF413, the 0745 ex SYD took off at 0832 and should arrive at about 1013, 53 minutes late, with B738 VH-VYE. QF415, the 0800 southbound, took off from SYD at 0838 and should arrive at roughly 1020 with aircraft B738 VH-VZE.

Many northbound departures ex SYD this morning are at or close to time, such as to BNE, so this may be a case for MEL-bound flights of ATC giving a revised, delayed pushback time, as controllers know that there would otherwise be more air traffic congestion approaching MEL.

 

[docjames]

I was on this flight and yes we landed at 11.26pm. Captain advised that dispensation had been granted by Canberra for a pre 11.30pm arrival. We left PER at around 5.50pm after tech difficulties delayed the scheduled 4.20pm departure time and trucked across the continent with SOG bouncing either side of 1000km/hr the entire way.

Not sure of the reason for granting the exemption just very thankful that it was asked and approved.

Wow, that's really interesting as I didn't think mechanical issues "qualified" for dispensation.

I wonder which pollie was in 1A???....

 

[whughes3]

MEL is a mess this morning due to low visibility reducing operations to one runway. I flew in at about 1030 and there were at least a dozen planes queued up on taxiways; most flights are running late and looks like it will continue for most of the day.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks for the heads up!

as of 1205hrs:

QF1502, VA1321 from HBA are holding south east of MEL
TG229, VA264, QF823 are holding over Mt Buller
RX3764 from Mt Gambier is holding to the west
QF2131 from CBR is holding southwest of the mob holding over Mt Buller

each of these flights are doing multiple circuits...

 

[Melburnian1]

MEL is a mess this morning due to low visibility reducing operations to one runway.

Indeed. QF678, the 1000 ADL to MEL (B738 VH-VXU) took off ahead of time at 1007 (bearing in mind that the usual allowance from pushback to takeoff seems to be about 15 minutes for such domestic flights) but will arrive MEL at about 1215, 25 minutes late.

QF1502 (HBA - MEL) was timetabled to depart at 1010 but our old friend B717 VH-YQS was airborne at 1050, subsequently encountering a holding pattern to Wonthaggi's east, meaning a likely arrival at about 1237 hours, 72 minutes behind time.

The 1050 longhaul from SYD to JNB, QF63 (B744 VH-OEI) was in the sky at 1208. Same day arrival is predicted as 1805 (Qantas website) or (touchdown at) 1808 (FR24) so take your pick, but QF64 will be delayed as QF63's timetabled arrival is 1710 hours and QF64's normally scheduled departure 1910 hours. QF has yet to alter the predicted departure time of QF64 on the website, which often happens even though a 60 minute turnaround with a B744 never seems to be achieved. If it was simply an unscheduled stop due to fuel or a medical diversion, things might be different, but an 'end of trip' turnaround has many more tasks required.

MEL is currently 'tops' for worldwide airport delays monitored by FR24 which does not often occur, given that there are more than 1500 major worldwide airports (although 'major' is a subjective term).

In some ways it is surprising because 1230 is an offpeak time of the day, unlike very busy periods at MEL on weekdays such as 0700 - 1000, around 1100 and then 1500 to say 1830. Midnight is also fairly busy but it is largely international departures with the occasional domestic arrival, plus freight and mail flights.

 

[moa999]

I wonder whether 'caretaker conventions' means that dispensation is more likely, as the party in charge doesn't have to bear the political heat

 

[jb747]

Oh, the joys of wide spaced parallel runways. But that's not anywhere in Australia, is it?

 

[Quickstatus]

Oh, the joys of wide spaced parallel runways. But that's not anywhere in Australia, is it?

The mechanisms in place to operate "tight" parallel runways are essentially fair weather friends only?

 

[Melburnian1]

QF35, the Monday 20 June 1145 MEL - SIN (A333 VH-QPG) took off late at 1312 this afternoon after pushing back at 1242 and is expected to arrive 50 minutes late at 1845 according to QF. FR24 was showing a touchdown (not 'gate arrival') time of 1805 (just changed to 1808 hours) but that does not appear to be correct.

 

[Melburnian1]

I wonder whether 'caretaker conventions' means that dispensation is more likely, as the party in charge doesn't have to bear the political heat

moa999, this was discussed in a separate thread in the open discussion section of this website. I agree, and put that proposition forward: some disputed it, but it seems logical because the Minister at present is really 'Minister in name only'. An elected Minister (after 2 July) may have a different view to a public servant who is administering provisions of an Act or regulations.

 

[jb747]

The mechanisms in place to operate "tight" parallel runways are essentially fair weather friends only?

PRM approaches were the workaround. They've just been banned in Oz, and were both silly and potentially dangerous. Beyond that though, Melbourne doesn't seem to have any parallel runways !

 

[jb747]

moa999, this was discussed in a separate thread in the open discussion section of this website. I agree, and put that proposition forward: some disputed it, but it seems logical because the Minister at present is really 'Minister in name only'. An elected Minister (after 2 July) may have a different view to a public servant who is administering provisions of an Act or regulations.

It was all conjecture.....!

In any event, just prior to an election would seem to be the silliest time to loosen the rules, though I suspect that the areas around Sydney airport only ever vote one way anyway.

I always wondered why they didn't buy the entire suburb of Kurnell, and just bulldoze it. Not that big a place.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For Quickstatus, bit late now but thanks for feedback re QFi dep on 13 Jun.
Wonder what happened to those late pax.
PersonalIy I prefer an overnight in SYD or MEL prior to an int flight.
Granted it goes into QF flexJ fare instead of saleJ fare.

 

[Melburnian1]

It was all conjecture.....!

moa999, jb747 and others, in time, we will have the opportunity to read the quarterly report about curfew dispensations that were ticked off or denied. The detail is in a report presented to Federal Parliament. When I eventually see it, I will try to attach it to the previous thread about dispensations from the SYD curfew.

Not sure that 'Kurnell' is the problem. It's the areas to the north, east and west of Kingsford Smith airport whose residents complain about aircraft noise, unless it is suggested that the airport should be moved lock, stock and barrel to the Kurnell Peninsula.

Nice of jb747 to suggest that 'they only ever vote one way.' Try telling that to Anthony Albanese (Labor) who is fighting the Greens at present or to John Howard (Liberal) who lost his seat in 2007 (although the latter was largely to do with other issues, not the airport).

 

[Quickstatus]

It was all conjecture.....!

I always wondered why they didn't buy the entire suburb of Kurnell, and just bulldoze it. Not that big a place.

I think it was due to some rare frog. Can't find link but here is something about the fauna and flora.
Kurnell dune forest in the Sutherland Shire and the City of Rockdale - endangered ecological community listing | NSW Environment & Heritage