Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Later on Friday 26 March, QF1072 (1640 hours PER up to BME airborne at 1723 with B738 VH-VZL) arrived at 1941, 36 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 28 March sees QF542, the late afternoon 1735 hours SYD up to BNE getting the flick. This reduces the number of QFd 'own metal' SYD to BNE flights today to 11.

Across all operators in 2019 there were a typical 92 flights a day on a return basis. Saturday would normally be the quietest, and weekdays typically were busier than Sundays due to low demand on Sunday mornings. At the time QFd probably had an 'own metal' 40-45 per cent share of the typical 46 one way flights on a seven day a week basis, so if there were say 38 flights across the the then four airlines on a Sunday, QFd would have had perhaps 16-17.

My guess is load factors are less today than two years ago., so it's not just that flight numbers have decreased, but the typical number of posteriors on available seats has somewhat declined.

So on a back-of-the-envelope basis, demand has dropped somewhere between 33 and 50 per cent on this route when compared to the most recent previous typical 'pre-COVID' period. BITRE statistics will eventually give us more accurate information, but it does not publish individual airlines' passenger figures. Only the total number carried on a route becomes public knowledge.

 

[Melburnian1]

Still on 28 March, QF1547, the 1855 hours dinner time MEL - LST is predicted to push back 45 minutes tardy.

QF1526 to CBR is worse, with this 1925 offering likely to depart an hour late. QF699 to ADL is the 1945 hours ex MEL, suggested as departing at 2020 hours.

UPDATE: QF1547 (B717 VH-NXI) took off at 2002 with suggested arrival in the 'capital of northern Tassie) at 2101, 61 minutes behind the timetable. The aircraft had been in MEL since 1202 hours, having only doen a MEL - HBA return prior to the delayed flight.

QF1526 was not nearly as late as earlier suggested, and should be in CBR at 2044 (14 late).

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with 28 March, QF1788 (B717 VH-YQT, the 1655 hours SYD - MCY airborne at 1757) arrived at 1824 hours, 54 behind. Its previous flight from LST to SYD had arrived at 1625, 15 minutes tardy so it's not clear why there was a delay.

QF479 (B738 VH-VYI, the 1800 hours SYD down to MEL) took off at 1905 so arrival at 2018 will be 43 minutes past the allotted. The previous flight from MEL to SYD was only two minutes late arriving at 1727 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF708 (Monday 29 March, the 0905 hoyrs BNE - CNS) was airborne at 0949 with B738 VH-VXK. Estimated arrival is 1201 hours, 36 late. This is the last week for six months when Queensland time will be three hours behind Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart time.

The Sunday 28 March QF1547 (B717 VH-NXJ) was the 1855 hours airborne at 2002, arriving at 2106, 66 minutes late.

If it was the same crew next morning, that late Sunday night arrival may have been the cause of QF1540 (the 0630 hours) taking off from LST at 0735, arriving MEL at 0830, 55 minutes behind. From memory, fog hadn't been forecast in Launceston this morning but happy to be corrected.

The next late runner was QF1551, the 0825 hours MEL - HBA that was in the sky at 0933, arriving 65 late at 1045. Next cab off the rank was QFD1552, the 1020 hours HBA - MEL airborne at 1145 for a 67 minute late MEL arrival at 1242 hours.

QF1551 (B717 VH-NXO) was another similar 0830 hours departure ex MEL but to LST, not HBA. It took off at 0930, arriving at 1026 hours, 51 late. On the return, QF1542 arrived back in MEL at 1157, 37 minutes behind so at least on an overall basis it made up some time.

Just like the 'bad old days' of Cobham.

Much further north, QF2452 at an early start of 0605 hours from BNE to 'not' MOV(ing) (mining centre) was cancelled.

QF933 from BNE to PER at 0630 hours was understandably cancelled due to the WA Premier's announcement of quarantine for arrivals ex Queensland. One assumes this would affect airline staff as well as passengers so it'd be unproductive (and family unfriendly) to have the QFd staff having to exist in a bubble for days on end.

On Tuesday 30, day two of the three-day Brisbane lockdown, QF2781 at 1800 hours from BNE to MEL is to be cancelled. At this stage no others appear to have got the boot but that may change as the airline software and operations centre staff work through the flights tomorrow, as some passengers may cancel. It's a disaster having this BNE lockdown as it's just prior to Easter when many southerners would have made bookings, and a recent Queensland government ad campaign made great play as to how refunds would be available. The lockdown doesn't help in rebuilding confidence in the northern state's tourism, accommodation and hospitality subsectors.

 

[milehighclub]

One assumes this would affect airline staff as well as passengers so it'd be unproductive (and family unfriendly) to have the QFd staff having to exist in a bubble for days on end.

Too late. This happens every lockdown. Whilst every state does something different (With WA being the most restrictive and expensive to all airlines) crew bubbles have to be formed. Crew have to isolate, crew can't work certain flights etc. It is a huge operational mess.

 

[Melburnian1]

Too late. This happens every lockdown. Whilst every state does something different (With WA being the most restrictive and expensive to all airlines) crew bubbles have to be formed. Crew have to isolate, crew can't work certain flights etc. It is a huge operational mess.

mile, sorry to hear that. Hope your friends (or you) haven't been adversely affected. Sure, you may receive extra allowances and reasonable to excellent accommodation but imagine the dislocation to other activities you may have had planned, including simply relaxing on a day or two off. One especially feels sorry for those who are married and have children who were looking forward to seeing their mother or father for more than a brief 'hi' at the end or start of a day.

Separately, a day after commencing flying these routes - seen by some revenge for ZL commencing MEL - SYD - QFd has cancelled QF2194, the Monday 29 March 1905 hours MEL - ABX and QF2036, the 1915 hours MEL - WGA.

The just announced Victoria shutting its 'border' to Greater Brisbane from 1800 hours on Monday 29 March may see more flights on the MEL - BNE route cancelled, while SA has also announced some restrictions. These State Premiers - three Labor, two Liberal - never seem to care about the big dislocation and other bad effects these disproportionate lockdowns/border closures/curfews cause.

 

[Melburnian1]

Once the Queensland Premier announced the Greater Brisbane lockdown and Victoria responded with its stupid 'red traffic light' for those from that part of the Sunshine State, it was inevitable that some flights on the BNE - MEL route would be cancelled.

On Tuesday 30 March 2021, QF600 at (appropriately) 0600 hours from MEL to BNE was the first to be flicked.

So have been QF608 at 0820 hours, QF614 at 1120, QF626 at 1620 and QF632 at 1820 early this evening.

QF512 (0905 hours SYD - BNE) is another casualty, as is QF516 at 1005 hours. So is QF532 mid afternoon at 1505 hours, and, later QF540 at 1705. QF644 at 1805 is another to get the boot.

The SYD - HBA 0935 hours QF1531 has also been cancelled.

QF2654 at 0700 WST from PER to ZNE was another to be given the flick.

 

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 31 March 2021 sees QFd continuing to be affected by the Queensland Premier's minimum three day lockdown that may become longer.

As of 2230 AEDT on Tuesday 30, QFd had cancelled 16 of 93 flights tomorrow ex BNE according to the eponymous airport's site. As always, the number of flights not operating may rise tomorrow.

The cancellations are to a fairly wide variety of destinations: SYD (5), MEL (4), CBR, GLT and ROK two each and MOV one.

I can't imagine that a day before the start of the Easter/school holidays break two years ago that QFd would have wanted to cancel any flights as typically they would have been heavily patronised.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Holy Thursday, 1 April 2021, it's not an April Fool's joke but reality that QF1501 and QF1429, respectively the 0705 and 0905 hours departures from SYD on the short hop to CBR have been cancelled.

There are only 24 QFd flights from SYD southbound to MEL today, despite this day probably normally being the second busiest day for Oz's domestic airlines (Boxing Day may be busier). At a guess, a 'normal' total for this Thursday a couple of years ago would have been 35 - 40 flights, and maybe a couple more than today were A332s, so the effective reduction in seating capacity in 2021 is even greater.

The SYD to BNK route has become immensely popular but today QFd has only four flights northbound. Probably more were cancelled a couple of days ago but are not displaying on the Sydney Airport website. It may be surprising that four are still running due to the coronavirus situation in Byron Bay (which while not the same as Ballina is nonetheless close, and affected IIRC by identical restrictions).

The are only six remaining SYD - CBR QFd flights today.

 

[Melburnian1]

Easter Sunday is not a typical Sunday: for some states, it's the long weekend marking the start of school holidays but it's also in the middle of two public hols.

On 4 April 2021, QF1520, the mid afternoon 1520 hours MEL - CBR has been cancelled.

QF2309 much further north (the similarly timed 1500 hours BNE down to CBR) is also to get the boot.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 11 April 2021, QF1520 (1550 hours mid afternoon MEL - CBR) is predicted to push back 40 minutes late. A week ago (4 April), this flight got the gong, while yesterday it arrived CBR at 1808 hours, 73 minutes tardy.

Today QF1520 may be formed by QF1785 (B717 VH-NXR) that should shortly arrive six minutes early at 1554 hours, so there's a chance that another aircraft failed but had been meant to fly to CBR.

QF1522, the 1650 hours on the same route is similar, with departure 35 late the suggestion.

UPDATE: QF1520 had VH-NXR, becoming airborne at 1702 and arriving in CBR at 1750, 55 minutes tardy. It formed QF1525, the 1735 hours from CBR back down to MEL, taking off at 1834 for suggested arrival of 1932 hours, 47 minutes past the allotted.

QF1522's aircraft was B717 VH-YQU, with this 1650 hours flight taking off at 1805 for arrival at 1855, an hour behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF1564, the 0705 hours MEL - NTL (B717 VH-NXK) on Monday 11 April 2021 did not take off until 1022, arriving at 1139 hours, 189 minutes late. The aircraft had earlier run QF1565 (ex NTL) that arrived MEL four minutes early at 0856 hours, so it appears another aircraft must have failed.

This has delayed QF1777, the scheduled 0910 hours NTL up to BNE, in the sky at 1226 hours for a suggested 1331 hours arrival, 186 late.

QF1541 (B717 VH-NXM) was the 0830 hours MEL down to LST, airborne at 0931 for a 58 minutes late, 1033 hours, arrival in LST. On the return, QF1542 arrived back in MEL at 1214, 54 behind.

VH-YQU, another B717 was initially this morning on QF1512 from MEL to CBR, arriving six minutes ahead at 0804, but the next journey as QF1561 from CBR down to HBAsaw this 0900 hours timetabled flight in the sky at 0947 for arrival at 1119, 44 minutes tardy. That delayed QF1560 (HBA back to CBR) that was in the sky at 1209 for suggested arrival at 1321 hours, 36 minutes behind the timetable.

The sample size is insufficient but one is starting to see a few instances of B717s running badly late for reasons that may be unrelated to weather, despite fewer overall flights across all the airlines than say two years ago.

A few years ago when Cobham operated the Tasmanian flights for QFd, timekeeping was pathetic between HBA-MEL and return in particular.

If history repeats itself, it'll be a concern for Tasweigans scheduling day trips to say Melbourne for appointments, or Melburnians doing that in reverse, and for those connecting (if we're ever allowed beyond NZ out of Oz) to and from international flights.

QF2051 (0835 hours MEL down to HBA) took off at 0945, arriving at 1108, 78 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 13 April 2021, QF434 (1030 hours midmorning MEL up to SYD) has been cancelled.

QF508 (0830 hours SYD - BNE) is another casualty, as is QF415, the early morning 0730 hours SYD down to MEL.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF441, the 1200 'high noon' Tuesday 13 April 2021 SYD down to MEL was cancelled.

QF1558, the mid evening 2055 hours scheduled MEL arrival (ex HBA) is in the same boat.

The 1630 hours PER - MEL, QF780, is predicted to arrive at its gate half an hour behind at 2225 tonight.

QF634 (1920 hours MEL - BNE) should push back half an hour late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 14 April, QF745 (1835 hours SYD - ADL) was cancelled.

Earlier, QF1531 (0935 hours SYD down to HBA) had B717 VH-YQY, but did not take off until 1254, arriving at 1431 hours, 181 minutes tardy. QF1532 returning (the 1215 hours ex HBA) arrived back in SYD at 1711 hours, 186 minutes behind the timetable.

 

[dylarr]

Some disruptions this evening for QF1401 Sydney to Mildura, and QF1407 Sydney to Bendigo. It appears for whatever reason they couldn't get a dedicated aircraft and / or crew to operate SYD - BXG and as a result there are some interesting movements!

QF1407 (SYD - BXG) has been cancelled tonight.

Instead, it will operate as QF1401 SYD - BXG, dropping off passengers in Bendigo, before continuing BXG - MQL with the same flight number.

It will overnight in MQL, and tomorrow morning will operate as QF1402 MQL - BXG, picking up passengers in Bendigo, before continuing BXG - SYD with the same flight number.

 

[Melburnian1]

Some disruptions this evening for QF1401 Sydney to Mildura, and QF1407 Sydney to Bendigo. It appears for whatever reason they couldn't get a dedicated aircraft and / or crew to operate SYD - BXG and as a result there are some interesting movements!

QF1407 (SYD - BXG) has been cancelled tonight.

Instead, it will operate as QF1401 SYD - BXG, dropping off passengers in Bendigo, before continuing BXG - MQL with the same flight number.

It will overnight in MQL, and tomorrow morning will operate as QF1402 MQL - BXG, picking up passengers in Bendigo, before continuing BXG - SYD with the same flight number.

Great information. VH-SBB is the turboprop operating QF1401, with this normally 1745 hours flight ex SYD airborne at 1923. MQL arrival is expected at about 2230 tonight, after the Bendigo stop.

This late afternoon SYD-MQL flight was 72 minutes late yesterday (arrival being 2112 hours) while on Thursday 22 it arrived at 2148, 108 late.

Not a great record for punctuality.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 27 April 2021, QF137 (0925 hours morning SYD across to CHC) got the boot. So did QF145 (1145 hours SYD - AKL).

QF437, the 1100 hours SYD - MEL was another cancellation today. QF2064 at lunchtime (1310 hours SYD - BNK) also did not operate.

QF466, the 1630 hours MEL - SYD has been cancelled on Wednesday 28 April 2021.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more re 28 April 2021, QF1524 (1350 hours off peak MEL - CBR) was cancelled.

Similarly, QF145 (1135 hours late morning from SYD across to AKL got the flick. QF149 at 1855 hours tonight on the same route is also not operating. Are these cancellations due to lower than expected passenger numbers, difficulties in sourcing (re)qualified crews, aircraft problems or some other reason? Weather in the North Island looks unexceptional. With a quick squiz I couldn't see anything adverse on the AKL airport website either. (LA1242 on the same route is also cancelled).

QF2057 (1535 hours MEL - DPO) took off at 1611 hours so would have been about half an hour late arriving.

Further north, QF542 (1735 hours late afternoon SYD up to BNE) has been given the flick.

So has QF1401 from SYD to MQL at 1745 hours, a flight with a chequered record in the last week. AFFer dylarr has posted about this in the 'QF flies from SYD to BGO' excellent thread.

QF479 at 1800 hours from SYD down to MEL is another cancellation. QF745 at 1835 in the early evening (SYD - ADL) will also not run, and nor will the 1850 hours from SYD up to often chilly ARM, QF2034.