Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Drpopper]

Yep A330's are getting swapped out from MEL-SYD-MEL a LOT past few days. In fact tomorrow only QF422 remains a A330.

Aren't A330s being deployed trans Tasman a/c AKL fuel crisis? Better range thus no need to refuel.

 

[Melburnian1]

Speaking of A332s, on Friday 22 September QF775, the early morning 0630 hours MEL - PER (VH-EBB) did not become airborne until 0745. Arrival should be at around 0943, 63 minutes behind the timetable.

QF130, the overnight from PVG down to SYD (A333 VH-QPC) was due out at 1955 on Thursday night but did not become airborne until 2138, so Friday 22 arrival is forecast for 0943, 73 late.

The Friday 22 0810 hours morning SYD - PER, QF575 (A332 VH-EBK) took off at 0842. Suggested arrival is 1149 hours, 34 late.

QF81, the 1025 hours SYD - SIN was initially displaying as delayed until 1050 in its pushback but that has further altered to a claimed 1110 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on Friday 22 September, QF485 (1035 hours MEL across to PER that took off at 1144, A332 VH-EBD) should arrive at about 1344 this afternoon, 59 minutes tardy. QF475, the scheduled 1135 ex MEL is not far behind as it took off pretty much on time at 1151 (VH-EBJ) and should arrive at 1352 only seven minutes tardy. This shows once again when routes have higher frequencies how booking on a particular flight can be a bit of a lottery as to timekeeping.

 

[Melburnian1]

After its fuel-laden journey across the Tasman as QF6011 on Wednesday 20 (see above), B744 VH-OEG flew back yesterday (Thursday 21 September) as QF6012, landing in SYD at 1648 ex AKL.

Use of the '6012' flight number indicates either that no passengers were on board or that it was a special working (i.e. with passengers.) The annual Antarctic flights always have QF60XX flight numbers if I recall.

On Friday 22, longhaul QF7 has been delayed three hours to an expected 1530 hours departure. Same day arrival in DFW is predicted as 1545 not 1300 hours after the long trip from SYD.

B744 flight QF73 is predicted to depart from SYD this afternoon at 1650 instead of the timetabled 1300 hours with SFO arrival suggested as 1325 hours, 235 minutes tardy.

QF81 ended up departing 77 late at 1142 from SYD for a forecast 1735 hours, 45 minutes late arrival.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thursday 21 September's QF12 departed LAX at 2320, 50 minutes late. On Saturday 24, SYD arrival should be at about 0702, 42 minutes late.

The 2320 hours QF16 (LAX - BNE) pushed back at 0054 this morning so its Saturday arrival is estimated as 0735, 85 late, although the QF website still claims '0610 hours' which may be incorrect.

On Friday 22, transcontinental QF768 (1645 hours ex PER for MEL that was pointing skywards at 1743) should arrive at 2233 late tonight, 48 minutes behind time with A332 VH-EBA.

The BME - PER QF1929, the 1850 hours that was airborne at 1929 (B717 VH-NXK) should be on blocks in the WA capital at 2205, 35 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

While it looked for a while as if there had been improvement, there is still quite an amount of late running on the QF B717 MEL - HBA and return flights.

On Saturday 23 September QF1501, the 0815 hours from MEL (B717 VH-YQT) took off at 0924. Arrival should be at 1026, 56 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 24 September has QF81 (1025 hours morning SYD - SIN, A333 VH-QPH) not having become airborne until 1143. Arrival is predicted as 1800 hours, 70 minutes late.

QF127 (1000 SYD - HKG, B744 VH-OEI) commenced pushing back 93 late; its arrival is forecast for 1823 hours, 63 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Sunday 24 September, QF703 (B738 VH-VZR, the 1315 hours early afternoon CNS down to MEL that took off about 20 minutes behind schedule at 1347) is arriving at 1709, 34 late.

 

[Himeno]

Lots of delays ex SYD this morning due to ATC radar failure.
2 MEL flights cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

Himeno, many thanks.

Media reports suggest that teh SYD radar failed from 0520 hours on Monday 25 September.

Melbourne Airport strangely is reported as sugegsting that it did not know of any flight cancellations.

Yet QF498, the Mondays only 0530 hours MEL - SYD has been cancelled, as has QF406, the 0645 hours northbound. So has QF488, the 0845 hours MEL - SYD. QF1528 (late morning 1130 hours MEL - CBR) has also got the boot.

Southbound QF405 from SYD down to MEL, the scheduled 0630 hours has also got the boot. QF409, the 0700 hours is cancelled, as is QF1520, the timetabled 1050 hours arrival in MEL ex CBR.

This won't be the last of the cancellations.

QF401, the first of the morning at a timetabled 0600 hours from SYD to MEL was airborne at 0708 with B738 VH-XZC. Arrival should be 47 minutes late at 0822.

QF471 (B738 VH-VZR), the 0620 hours southbound took off at 0730 so instead of arriving at 0755 as timetabled it should be on blocks in the southern capital at about 0840.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Monday 25 September, QF94 from LAX to MEL (A388 VH-OQC) is arriving at about 0824 hours, 89 minutes late. It took the scenic route from Orbost north to Ensay and back down south to Fernbank, probably as an alternative to the standard racecourse-like holding pattern that just ahead of it UA98 engaged in briefly.

This will delay QF93, the timetable 0915 hours MEL - LAX to at least 1010 in its departure.

The 0630 hours SYd - BNE (QF502, B738 VH-VXG) was in the sky at 0746, with arrival delayed until 0901 hours, 61 late.

QF141 (A332 VH-EBV, the 0705 hours SYD across to AKL) took off at 0810. Arrival should be at about 1345 hours, 40 minutes tardy.

 

[Himeno]

4 QantasLink ex SYD flights cancelled in a row (Wagga, Tamworth, Albury, Armidale) due to the ATC radar

 

[Ansett]

Interesting so who pays for the costs incurred by airlines and passengers?

 

[Melburnian1]

Salient point, Ansett, but probably the airlines (and passengers) have to pay themselves.

That said, if one missed an international connection and had been booked to connect from a domestic flight on the one PNR, most international legacy (not LCC) airlines would put a traveller up in an hotel if it came to that, although rebooking might be fastest and preferable.

Also on Monday 25 September, QF501 (0600 hours BNE - SYD) took off at 0801 so it looks to have been held by ATC in BNE for a significant period of at least 90 minutes prior to being able to push back. B738 VH-VYD should arrive at 0947, 132 minutes tardy but as at 0910, this aircraft had only just left its holding pattern to Singleton's west.

QF2019 (0630 hours ARM down to SYD that took off at 0824) is similarly affected with Q300 VH-SBG suggested as arriving at around 0945, 115 minutes late.

The WTB - SYD QF2015 (Q400 VH-QOV) took off at 0758 despite its 0605 hours scheduled departure. Arrival looks to be at about 0952, 127 minutes past the allotted.

 

[Himeno]

Interesting so who pays for the costs incurred by airlines and passengers?

This issue comes down to a problem with Air Services Australia.
If anything, they should give the airlines a discount on enroute fees for a limited period (unlikely to happen though)

 

[UP4014]

Interesting so who pays for the costs incurred by airlines and passengers?

I'd say the airlines just have to suck it up, meaning the passengers just have to suck it up. Breakdowns happen all the time and everyone would be responsible for their own costs.

The airlines would have to claim on their consequential loss cover or like travellers, don't complain if you didn't take out the appropriate insurance.

Matt

 

[Drpopper]

I just want to say publicly how much I for one appreciate the time and work you put into keeping us updated as to developments.

Salient point, Ansett, but probably the airlines (and passengers) have to pay themselves.

That said, if one missed an international connection and had been booked to connect from a domestic flight on the one PNR, most international legacy (not LCC) airlines would put a traveller up in an hotel if it came to that, although rebooking might be fastest and preferable.

Also on Monday 25 September, QF501 (0600 hours BNE - SYD) took off at 0801 so it looks to have been held by ATC in BNE for a significant period of at least 90 minutes prior to being able to push back. B738 VH-VYD should arrive at 0947, 132 minutes tardy but as at 0910, this aircraft had only just left its holding pattern to Singleton's west.

QF2019 (0630 hours ARM down to SYD that took off at 0824) is similarly affected with Q300 VH-SBG suggested as arriving at around 0945, 115 minutes late.

The WTB - SYD QF2015 (Q400 VH-QOV) took off at 0758 despite its 0605 hours scheduled departure. Arrival looks to be at about 0952, 127 minutes past the allotted.

 

[Melburnian1]

Delays are continuing into the afternoon of Monday 25 September which is unsurprising given the extent of the disruption this morning.

QF143, the TransTasman scheduled 0855 hours SYD across to AKL did not take off until 1228 hours early thsi afternoon, which is very unusual. A3332 VH-EBP should arrive at about 1742 hours, 162 minutes behind schedule.

QF614 (1110 late morning MEL - BNE) took off at 1217 hours with B738 VH-VZE. Arrival should be 39 late at 1369.

The 1005 hours BNE down to SYD, QF517 was in the sky at 1149 with VH-XZN, another B738. Its arrival is suggested for 1314 hours, 94 minutes behind the eight ball.

Showing how even the venerable transcontinental flights are affected, QF581, the 1010 hours SYD across to PER (A332 VH-EBQ) was airborne at 1253 with arrival suggested as 1420 this afternoon, 125 minutes late. Inevitably this means major delays for passengers originating in PER and for that matter anyone connecting to airports in WA such as to BME or KTA with their relatively limited frequencies.

QF427, the late morning 1100 SYD - MEL (B738 VH-VZV) took off at 1250; arrival is forecast for 1353 hours, 78 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Due to the delayed arrival of QF94 on Monday 25 September, QF93 departed 79 minutes late at 1034. Same day arrival is predicted to be 0750 hours, 75 minutes late.

Long haul QF7, the 1230 hours SYD - DFW is expected to depart at 1315 hours.

The 1055 hours BNE - NRT (QF61) is usually very much on time (like most of the JL, NH and QF Japanese flights) but on 25 September it did not depart until 1144. Arrival should be at about 1945, 35 late, slightly delaying QF80 back down to MEL if that is its next rostered duty.

The 1200 'high noon' QF117 (SYD - HKG, A333 VH-QPE) was airborne at 1325 meaning suggested arrival this evening at 2014 hours, 34 minutes tardy.

QF35 also fairly unusually departed MEL 78 minutes tardy at 1303. Arrival in the Lion City is estimated as 1905 hours, 70 minutes behind schedule. If this next forms QF52 (2050 hours SIN - BNE redeye tonight) that should be on time.

QF41 from SYD up to CGK is another QF flight that is usually on time or if the winds permit, early. Today however it is delayed in departure by 50 minutes to a forecast mid afternoon 1440 hours; arrival should be at around 1910, half an hour late and hence not overly delaying the returning redeye QF42.

Thus far, this has been a day when the QFd delays have been a lot worse than those for QFi, which is surprising because one might have expected some of the c. 0600 hour arrivals of international flights to be 'caught' by the SYD airport radar failure just as many domestic flights have been and are being adversely affected timewise.

 

[Himeno]

Thus far, this has been a day when the QFd delays have been a lot worse than those for QFi, which is surprising because one might have expected some of the c. 0600 hour arrivals of international flights to be 'caught' by the SYD airport radar failure just as many domestic flights have been and are being adversely affected timewise.

All the long haul flights into SYD this morning landed with little to no issue. It was the departures from and to SYD after the radar failure that have caused the rolling delays.
SYD was under ground stop for a short time this morning (similar to Chicago or New York when the airspace is congested) and when the radar came back, they had flow control of 15 departures/hr.