Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[BD1959]

I've said it before...purely from observations when MEL goes on to single runway working (usually due to weather) it invariably seems to be North/South. For decades the Melway showed plans for both (current) runways to have a parallel counterpart. There must be reasoning as to why a parallel East/West would take precedence over a parallel North/South but I've yet to work it out.

Regards,

BD

 

[jb747]

I've said it before...purely from observations when MEL goes on to single runway working (usually due to weather) it invariably seems to be North/South. For decades the Melway showed plans for both (current) runways to have a parallel counterpart. There must be reasoning as to why a parallel East/West would take precedence over a parallel North/South but I've yet to work it out.

Easier to build.

 

[Melburnian1]

Under MEL's plans, the existing east-west runway 09/27 is also being lengthened from about 2200 metres to 3000, so it is more than just a third new runway.

MEL is endeavouring to object to various proposed residential or in one case educational developments in suburbs such as Dallas or in roads like Wildwood Road, the latter I suspect in Oaklands Junction just to Sunbury's east, but from reading a couple of the minutes of noise consultative committee meetings, one of its problems - quite surprisingly - is that it does not always know about Victorian state government 'fast track rezoning' applications in advance.

If an applicant's development proposal is rejected by a municipal council, he, she or the company that submitted it can normally appeal to VCAT and may have the council decision overturned, so it can result in 'creeping' residential or other development over time. That may result in more community pressure on the airport to restrict its operations in one form or another, with the possibility - however slim - of government intervention perhaps not quite hanging like the Sword of Damocles but nonetheless 'lurking' somewhere in the background.

 

[jb747]

A runway to the south of the current 27 has the plus of being accessible without having to cross another runway. That is a major positive, and really should be enough reason to raze the various buildings/roads that have been put up, within the airport precinct, to allow that runway to be a reasonable length. 2,200 metres borders on dangerous for some operations (landing when wet). 3,000 is ok for landing, but still marginal for any long haul operations.

The issue with the airport is that it is not being run to operate aircraft safely and efficiently, but rather to maximise the parking and other business opportunities.

 

[Melburnian1]

The issue with the airport is that it is not being run to operate aircraft safely and efficiently, but rather to maximise the parking and other business opportunities.

Never a truer word has been said. It should be extremely concerning to passengers that experienced individuals who are aviators believe this, as the rest of us have little reason to doubt such a statement, even if there is wide acknowledgement that RPT aviation is a far safer overall operation than driving one's car or crossing a major road on foot.

MEL and lessees at other major Australian airports acknowledge that increasing non-aeronautical revenue is the major goal (shopping and parking). Aviation is secondary.

While it usually does not affect airline and many airport staff as most receive free parking - a great disincentive to use public transport, and an excellent way to put yet more pressure on the Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink, as well as airport internal access roads - MEL's margin on parking has been almost 80 cents in every dollar of revenue. Compare to Australia's market leading supermarket chain, Woolworths that gets criticised by consumer groups on occasion for having a (declining) eight cents or so margin in every dollar of sales. I know which provides better value!

The chance of any buildings being demolished - negligible to zero one would presume.

Returning to delays, QF493 (B738 VH-VZB), the 1915 hours SYD down to MEL was airborne at 2006 hours on Thursday 23 June and should arrive at about 2120, half an hour behind.

Northbound QF492, the 2030 hours MEL up to SYD (B738 VH-VYC) was in the sky at 2113 with arrival likely at 2228 tonight, 33 late. Earlier tonight it was about 32 minutes behind in arriving in MEL ex CBR on QF833 so full marks for consistency.

 

[katiebell]

The issue with the airport is that it is not being run to operate aircraft safely and efficiently, but rather to maximise the parking and other business opportunities.

Isn't 'shopping centre with aerobridges & aircraft attached' the model for most airports these days? It is thoroughly annoying to have to walk a circuitous path, dodging distracted shoppers, to get from security to lounge or aircraft.

 

[suze2000]

For me, personally, I prefer narrow body A/C as the smaller numbers seem to result in faster boarding times (but maybe that is an illusion). I choose B737 over widebody when poss b/n MEL & SYD. (& this is a major problem w A380 when compared w B777 or B787)?

I am the opposite; due to my own wide body, I seek out the A330s on MEL-SYD for my own comfort. I would prefer more Airbus flights for the extra inch of width. (Even more OT: having just flown QF A380, I think the seat dimensions listed on Seat Guru are incorrect. I'm sure that whoever did it only measured the distance between armrests, as opposed to the width of the cushions, there's at least an inch extra over a B737 seat and this makes a huge difference to me).

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 24 June 2016, QF140, the Jetconnect-crewed 0600 hours from AKL across to SYD should arrive at about 0820 hours, 40 minutes late in the shape of B738 ZK-ZQA.

It is common to observe these early morning flights ex New Zealand to the Oz east coast running early, as they often appear to push back ahead of time, but this morning this flight did not take off until 0653 when it should do so at about 0620 if maintaining the timetable.

B717 VH-NXL on the 0630 hours from CBR up to SYD did not take off until 0717, so is about to arrive at roughly 0800, 35 minutes late. There was no CBR fog forecast.

 

[JohnK]

Bad weather in SYD again and down to 1 runway? BNE airport is a zoo. I don't remember the Qantas security queue that long for a long time.

 

[Quickstatus]

Terminal aerodrome forecast @ 0730 UTC = 1730 hrs local YSSY.
Visibility >10km

Few clouds at 4500 feet
Scattered clouds at 14000feet

15 kts winds from 300deg west

Temp 11 deg celcius dew point 1 deg celcius
Barometric pressure 1007 mbars

Moderate turbulence below 5000 feet




Currently on parallel runway ops using 34L/R - arrival and departures to the North.
Crosswinds 20kts

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 24 June 2016, QF1 departed SYD at 1755, 125 minutes late. DXB arrival is suggested as 0200 hours on Saturday 25 June, 95 minutes late. A388 VH-OQH is the conveyance. DXB departure is expected to be 0345 hours on Saturday instead of 0210 with LHR arrival 75 minutes late at 0810 hours.

QF459, the 1800 hours SYD down to MEL took off at 1853 with arrival of B738 VH-XZC suggested as 2026 hours, 51 minutes late. The 1830 hours departure took off at 1925 with arrival suggested as 2045, 40 minutes late (B738 VH-VZS). The 1900 hours southbound (A332 VH-EBA) took off at 1955 with a suggested on blocks in a very chilly Melbourne town (near freezing at Tullamarine Airport at 1930 hours tonight) at around 2116, 41 minutes late.

The 1720 hours from ADL to SYD, QF766, took off at 1822 with B738 VH-VZM expected to arrive at the SYD terminal gate at roughly 2021, 41 late.

QF^33 (1830 hours BNE down to MEL) took off at 1912 with B738 VH-VZR likely to be at the arrival terminal gate at 2137, 42 minutes late.

The 1905 from MEL to MQL, QF2086, was in the sky at 1954. Arrival of Q400 VH-QOV is showing as half an hour late at 2045 but this may be a bit of an underestimate of the delay.

QF563 (1905 hours BNE down to SYD) took off at 2010 (B738 VH-VXU). Arrival is likely at around 2130, 50 minutes late. Northbound, QF550 (B738 VH-XFG) took off from SYD at 2025 despite a timetabled pushback of 1935; arrival should occur at 2135 hours, half an hour behind.

The 1830 hours from CBR for the short hop to SYD, QF1522 (B717 VH-YQW) is extremely late having been airborne at 2152. It remained in a holding pattern between Goulburn and Mittagong at 2220 hours and is estimated to arrive at around 2254, an incredible three hours and 29 minutes late. While it is rare for passengers to have advance notice of such delays, this was an occasion when using NSWTrainLink's late afternoon Xplorer train from Canberra to Sydney Central would have been way faster, as would driving.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 25 June, the B744-operated QF73 (1300 hours SYD to SFO) is predicted to depart an hour late at 1400. Arrival is suggested as 0955, only 25 minutes behind.

QF127, the 1005 SYD to HKG is estimated to push back at 1115 for a predicted half hour late arrival in the SAR at 1750. QF83, the far more recent roster addition is suggested as departing 20 minutes late at 1035.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Bad weather in SYD again and down to 1 runway? BNE airport is a zoo. I don't remember the Qantas security queue that long for a long time.

YSSY was down to using RWY25 for a few hours yesterday (Friday) afternoon due to the strong westerly. I was on QF484 the scheduled 1400 service from YMML, It was delayed to 1445 and arrived into YSSY 35 minutes late at 1600. Subsequent flights through the afternoon and evening were either delayed by up to 90+ minutes or in some cases cancelled (QF444, QF468, QF450, QF456, QF458, QF462). We were on a 737 and the turbulence turning downwind onto base then finals was noticeable. I would imagine flying a light twin into YSSY at this time would have been interesting. I overhead a Dash 8 FO walking through the terminal saying he felt like a "one arm wallpaper hanger" flying into YSSY...

 

[Melburnian1]

Subsequent flights through the afternoon and evening were either delayed by up to 90+ minutes or in some cases cancelled (QF444, QF468, QF450, QF456, QF458, QF462). We were on a 737 and the turbulence turning downwind onto base then finals was noticeable.

Thank you again ChrisGibbs for the excellent additional information. At least for the 'mainline' lower east coast flights, all fixable by a properly built and competently operated high speed railway between MEL - CBR - SYD - NTL - CFS - OOL - BNE. Many individual Australians know this but business is unfortunately slow to catch on. The number of cancellations and significant delays on the lower east coast is naturally weather affected but it is beginning to reach unacceptable levels, although variable on a month-to-month basis. In contrast, high speed rail overseas - in a range of operating conditions - has a proven record of being more reliable than the airlines.

QF81, the Saturday 25 June 2016 1020 SYD - SIN took off at 1111; arrival of A332 VH-EBD is suggested as 1737 late this afternoon, 52 minutes late. I cannot recall having previously noted VH-EBD on a QFi flight.

QF23, the 0950 hours SYD to BKK has a very good punctuality record but on 25 June, it was not airborne until 1152, with A333 VH-QPB expected to be at the BKK terminal gate at roughly 1845, 125 minutes late. QF24 tonight ex BKK for SYD will be delayed.

The 1020 MEL - HKG (QF29, B744 VH-OEG) was delayed in its takeoff until 1230, so arrival should be at roughly 1900, an hour late. Not bad considering that takeoff was approximately an hour and 45 minutes late.

QF7 (1300 SYD to DFW, VH-OQJ) took off punctually at 1325 but FR24 claims that it will touchdown in the USA at 1752 compared to the timetabled arrival of 1335. This would be nonsensical unless FR24 knows something unusual such as an enroute maintenance call or medical diversion: AFF member Boris spatsky gave us a good explanation a few weeks ago as to why FR24 can be at least temporarily inaccurate.

 

[Melburnian1]

On the evening of Saturday 25 June, QF37 is expected to arrive in SIN (ex MEL) at about 2220, half an hour behind, as A332 VH-EBV did not take off until 1622 despite a timetabled 1540 departure.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thrice weekly QF SYD - YVR - SYD seasonal flights using a B744 are about to recommence, albeit for a limited period of just a few weeks, before again running over part of the Australian summer and Canadian winter.

The always interesting and well researched AFF member Quickstatus provided me with a few kind comments about QF's B744 operations that I will summarise here:

QF utilises eight B744s on Monday to Thursday inclusive. On Friday and Sunday the QF B744 fleet is at maximum utilisation with nominally 12 B744 departures. However, there is effectively one fewer departure on each of these days because HND departs at 2100: this relies on a punctual arrival of another B744 rotation. Saturday sees 10 departures but effectively there are nine concurrently on the go or at an 'outstation' (a terminus away from Australia).

So the increased utilisation on Monday, Thursday and Saturday for QF75 and QF76 should on paper be fine, except that on Saturday there will be 11 B744s either inflight or at an airport other than in Australia. QF has 11 B744s in its fleet.

The 'possible anxiety days' for the B747 without QF75/76 operations are Friday and Sunday with Saturday not far behind.

With QF75/QF76 the days that are most likely to suffer a delay will still be Friday, Saturday and Sunday as these days nominally see 12 departures, but actually 11 due to the SYD - HND flight not departing until mid evening.

The takeout message is that for anyone travelling to or from YVR and considering using these QF seasonal flights, the Monday and Thursday departures from either end are on balance less likely to suffer problems than the Saturday departures, should availability be less than the 11 in the fleet. In common with some other routes, QF bookings through its website attract a surcharge (in this case A$100) for Saturday departures, reflecting higher demand after the end of the traditional working week.

Presumably QF does not expect any major maintenance B744 checks to be necessary during these seasonal few weeks of SYD - YVR - SYD flights.

Of course we may find that everything - worldwide - with QF's B744 flights goes swimmingly while YVR is part of the nonstop route network. Time will tell whether the comments AFF member JohnPhelan made months ago about how QF was unwise to dispose of two of its B744s will result in any lengthy delays given the high weekend utilisation of B744s that is about to again occur.

 

[RooFlyer]

Good stuff; thanks.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 26 June, QF23, the 0950 hours from SYD to BKK departed at 1021 with arrival expected similarly 35 late at 1715.

QF117 departed from SYD at 1157, 42 minutes late with HKG arrival suggested as 1930 hours, 50 minutes late.

For the second consecutive day, QF73 is expected to be delayed, this time by half an hour to a revised 1330 hours departure. QF expects it to still reach SFO on time.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF431, the 'high noon'1200 SYD down to MEL (A332 VH-EBA) took off at 1345 so should arrive at around 1504, 89 minutes late. A delay of this magnitude will most likely see this plane runninmg badly late all afternoon, given that Sunday afternoons and evenings'patronage - high - does not leave much 'room'for a domestic airline to cancel flight(s) to get the roster back on or closer to schedule.

QF81, the Sunday 26 June 1020 hours SYD to SIN took off at 1100 with arrival likely at 1726, 41 minutes late. VH-QPB is the plane, an A333.

 

[torks]

I was on the 25 june qf23 flight to bangkok which was delayed.
Whilst i didnt have a connecting flight many people did and the csm announced at the start of the flight that qantas would be reviewing all connections that they could see and rebooking where necessary. Towards the end of the flight he came round to inform connecting passengers of any changes that had been made.

Good service i thought.