QF4 JFK-AKL diversion to Fiji (4/10/24)

[henrus]

The QF4 that was due to land in Auckland this morning diverted to Nadi. I was quite surprised upon landing in Nadi this morning to see a QF 787 at a gate.

It appears the crew have timed out (not sure 100%) and it’ll operate direct to Sydney tonight meaning everyone onboard has the day in Nadi.

The 4 flight deck crew were standing around in arrivals looking rather annoyed along with a bunch of other passengers.

 

[AIRwin]

everyone onboard has the day in Nadi.

The 4 flight deck crew were standing around in arrivals looking rather annoyed along with a bunch of other passengers.

Even though they have a port day in NAN?

 

[henrus]

Even though they have a port day in NAN?

Didn’t seem to be helping them in this situation, it appeared the crew were waiting for transport. I think the pax have been mostly left to their own today (or at least that’s what I think - there were Americans walking around “looking for something to do”.

 

[CaptJCool]

unexpected adventure indeed

best I did in Oceania was an unscheduled re-fueling stop in New Caledonia on a United flight gosh 20 years ago now...
was on account of potential strike action by air traffic controllers at Sydney airport...
it was Hot and humid - very moist even late at night - its tropics after all but that would be a stopover for most PAX who are not likely to ever travel there another time

 

[ayebee]

Looking at the track, the remaining distance to Auckland looked not much different than side track to Nadi.

 

[NM]

Looking at the track, the remaining distance to Auckland looked not much different than side track to Nadi.

View attachment 409616

But what that image does not show is the weather enroute to AKL and at AKL. Distance to destination, time to destination and fuel need to reach destination (with require reserves) can be three quite different things.

 

[ayebee]

But what that image does not show is the weather enroute to AKL and at AKL. Distance to destination, time to destination and fuel need to reach destination (with require reserves) can be three quite different things.

Agree there could be various factors. There were other flights ahead proceeding to AKL, but I was simply observing the track, not drawing conclusions.

 

[henrus]

I really should have asked this morning but didn’t as I was in a rush (landed on FJ922) which is another story plus those who were clearly QF4 pax/crew didn’t seem thrilled.

 

[Saab34]

Looks like coming direct back to SYD, approaching the airport now. Probably would suck if your destination was AKL. Looks like another night in Sydney for those pax.

 

[jakeseven7]

Looks like coming direct back to SYD, approaching the airport now. Probably would suck if your destination was AKL. Looks like another night in Sydney for those pax.

Given the average through traffic from AU is about 75% for this route, most would be happy.

 

[Scarlett]

Even though they have a port day in NAN?

A ‘port day’?
They’d have been dealing with transfers and hotel being booked short notice and then spending most of the day sleeping or trying to sleep.

 

[markis10]

Weather forecasts often have a 12 hour validity and are issued every 6 hours, I don’t have specific details at hand but it’s highly likely the weather at AKL turned to cough on the forecast (official meteorological term) and an alternate requirement was put in place. The QF flight could have made AKL but with the weather coming up from down south any suitable alternates were ruled out with the exception of NAN.

 

[DC3]

Maybe someone will post the facts

 

[Quickstatus]

@henrus . Im not sure about the theory that the crew "timed out" given that it departed on time and flight time was about the same as a normal QF4

Also where did the crew come from to operate the subsequent sector. Maybe they flew up from AKL on a FJ/NZ flight?

 

[justinbrett]

@henrus . Im not sure about the theory that the crew "timed out" given that it departed on time and flight time was about the same as a normal QF4

Also where did the crew come from to operate the subsequent sector. Maybe they flew up from AKL on a FJ/NZ flight?

QF4 always gets a new crew in AKL. That’s the time out, the crew couldn’t operate the second leg, but they never can so not surprising. Just no replacement in NAN as it wasn’t scheduled.

I don’t think OP suggested the time out was the reason for the divert, just the consequence.

 

[Quickstatus]

Just no replacement in NAN as it wasn’t scheduled.

Yes, which is my question of where they cane from. The scheduled replacement crew were in AKL. Maybe they flew up on one of the morning flights from AKL

I don’t think OP suggested the time out was the reason for the divert, just the consequence.

Perhaps. But yes, a NAN diversion or whatever that caused the diversion may have left the crew without available hrs

 

[justinbrett]

Perhaps. But yes, a NAN diversion or whatever that caused the diversion may have left the crew without available hrs

There’s no perhaps. The crew are done after JFK-NAN or JFK-AKL.

Yes, which is my question of where they cane from. The scheduled replacement crew were in AKL. Maybe they flew up on one of the morning flights from AKL

I doubt it. Looking at the schedules they could have got there much earlier from AKL (FJ and NZ both arrive in NAN before 1200), and then it’s a question of what they did all day? Other flights arrive after QF4 departed (around 1645).

QF101 arrived from SYD about two hours before which would be my bet.

 

[Tiki]

Does anyone know what caused the diversion? I stumbled on this because I am tracking the on-time records of QF 27 (SYD-SCL) which was delayed due to late arrival of QF 4.

 

[jb747]

Even though they have a port day in NAN?

You say that as if it’s some sort of bonus. Wow….

 

[Quickstatus]

There’s no perhaps

Again, im not referring to the reality of diverting to Nan and what that does to available crew hours.