Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 12 November 2016, the 'Border Mail' reported that a SYD - ABX flight could not land and returned to SYD due to 'misty conditions.' It looks like this was VA1174 that should arrive at 0930 hours but that eventually did so at 1410.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA1421, the 1415 hours SYD - CNS (B738 VH-YFT) on Sunday 13 November took off at 1510 hours; arrival is predicted as 41 minutes late at 1701.

 

[Melburnian1]

As at 1815 hours on Sunday 13 November, SYD appears to only have the east-west runway in use, which if it continues will cause delays.

VA535 (B738 VH-YFV) is the 1710 hours SYD - OOL that at 1818 hours was close to taking off, so it will be delayed in its arrival.

VA657 (E190 VH-ZPK, the 1605 hours CBR - SYD) was airborne at a late 1740, so arrival was at about 1837 hours, 92 minutes behind time. In the opposite direction, VA1179, the 1640 hours from further south ABX to SYD took off at 1717, with small ATR72 VH-FVN arriving at about 1845 hours, 40 minutes behind time.

The 1700 hours from MEL to SYD, VA867, took off at 1732. Arrival is predicted at around 1907, 42 minutes past the allotted. B738 VH-VUW is the Boeing. The next northbound, VA869 (B738 VH-VOS, the 1715 hours that was in teh sky at 1743) should pull in at around 1924 hours, 44 minutes behind the schedule. The third unlucky flight as far as passengers with tight schedules go is VA871 (B738 VH-VUY) that was airborne at 1835 hours this evening; arrival should be 54 minutes late at 1949.

B738 VH-VUK on the 1635 hours from HBA to SYD that took off at 1713 this afternoon, VA1535, should arrive approximately 54 minutes tardy at 1919 early this evening.

VA973, the 1800 hours from SYD up to BNE did not take off until about 1912 so B738 VH-YFW is predicted to be around 45 minutes late at 1915 hours when it arrives.

 

[Melburnian1]

Due to the 1731 to 1735 AEST storm in BNE tonight that saw gusts of up to 158 kilometres an hour, VA1404, the 1915 hours BNE down to ADL took off at 2014. Arrival of B738 VH-VUU should be at 2320 hours, 50 minutes late and if I recall after the curfew so perhaps this flight has a dispensation from the Federal Minister's delegate.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on the many delays afflicting Sunday 13 November 2016, VA899, the 2045 hours MEL - SYD that took off at 2209 hours (E190 VH-ZPN) appears to have a dispensation from the Federal Minister's delegate to 'break curfew' as FR24 submits that it will land at 2311, the 'same time' as QF557 from BNE should land in SYD.

VA992 from BNE to SYD, the scheduled 2005 hours flight that took off at 2101 must similarly having kind treatment bestowed as VH-VUL (B738) appears to be landing at a projected 2313 hours. JQ823 (also ex BNE) is doing so at 2323!

The 2000 hours SYD - MEL, the luckily named VA888 (B738 VH-YFP) took off at 2207 so is arriving at an estimated 2321 hours, 101 minutes past its allotted time.

The 2035 hours ADL - MEL, VA246. took off at 2140; B738 VH-VON is arriving at roughly 2318 hours, 53 minutes late.

VA1337 (2130 HBA - MEL) was airborne at 2227, so arrival of VH-YFK, another B738, should be at approximately 2333 hours, a similar 52 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Monday 14 November sees VA304, the 0555 hours early morning from BNE down to MEL cancelled, perhaps as a result of the Category 3 cyclone that hit BNE on Sunday 13 at about 1731 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Monday 14 November, VA1294, the 'high noon' 1200 CNS - MEL took off at 1230, just ahead of the competing 1200 QF flight, but is a couple of minutes behind it on approach to MEL with VA's arrival suggested as 1700 or so, 35 late. Aircraft is B738 VH-YFR.

VA328, the 1255 BNE down to MEL that was airborne at 1340 is not far behind with VH-YIA predicted to arrive at 1701 hours, 46 minutes tardy.

VA278 (1700 hours CBR - MEL) took off at 1804; arrival should be at 1909, 59 late with aircraft B738 VH-YFE.

The 1835 hours MEL - CHC, VA100, is expected to instead depart at 2100 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 15 November, VA180 (1530 hours NAN - SYD) took off at 1709; arrival of B738 VH-YIY should be at approximately 1934 hours, 74 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

Distant memory tells me that this isn't the first time, but media reports on Wednesday 16 November indicate that MEL was affected by a 'power outage' due to a 'dip' - presumably a lower amount of generated power being available than was required - for some time this afternoon.

Apparently the VA and international terminals were affected, but not QF. The media report I read did not refer to the JQ and other airlines' Terminal 4.

Probably as a result, VA233, the 1640 from MEL to ADL took off at 1729 hours. B738 VH-VOT should arrive in the 'wine capital' at 1805 hours, 35 minutes delayed.

VA863, the 1630 hours MEL - SYD (B738 VH-YIA) took off hardly late at 1650, but arrival is forecast as 35 minutes late at 1830 as it appears that ATC may have 'slowed her down.' Many of us will have had these announcements from pilots or their assistants between MEL and SYD: I've had them more southbound, but it depends on weather conditions and the amount of 'traffic offering' at the inbound airport. Sometimes one can detect the pilot or colleague speaking with a slight air of resignation.

With the state government in Victoria determined to rid us of wonderful brown coal mines and efficient generators that for 60 years or so have provided bountiful, cheap energy to Victorians, epitomised by the 2017 closure of Hazelwood power station, we may not have seen the last of such embarrassing and annoying power failures at Melbourne Airport. Look at South Australia with its stupid, costly over reliance on 'renewable energy' to see what a disaster that sort of mad dark green agenda is for utilities.

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on 16 November 2016, VA1429 (B738 VH-YFV, the 1845 hours early evening from SYD up to CNS) was not in the sky until 2000 hours. Arrival is suggested as 2127 tonight, 37 minutes late.

The 2030 hours MEL - SYD (VA895) took off at 2131 tonight. It should be at its destination gate at around 2246, 51 minutes late with aircraft B738 VH-VUX.

 

[Melburnian1]

Friday 18 November sees VA808, the 0700 hours peak time SYD - MEL not having taken off until 0757. B738 VH-VUJ should arrive at around 0914 hours, 39 minutes behind schedule.

VA810, the 0715 hours southbound was airborne at 0759 with arrival set for 32 minutes late at 0922. VH-VUF is the B738.

The 0555 hours BNE to MEL that was in the sky at 0639 hours, VA304 (B738 VH-VOT) should arrive 26 minutes late at 0941.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 21 November, the 0630 hours peak period SYD - MEL (VA804, A332 VH-VXD) did not take off until 0752 hours, so arrival should be at around 0908, 63 minutes delayed. This will delay VA679, the 0915 hours from MEL across to PER until what is claimed to be an 0950 hours departure, but 1000 or a tad later would be a more realistic estimate.

VA806, the following 0645 hours flight ex SYD has been cancelled as has VA812, the 0730 hours departure. In the northbound direction, the 0815 hours MEL - SYD (VA813) has also got the gong.

VA2 from LAX (B773ER VH-VOZ) is arriving 55 minutes late at 0845.

 

[Melburnian1]

Adding to Monday 21 November's delays, VA733, the 0910 hours MEL - OOL took off at 0959. Arrioval of B738 VH-VOS should be at 1056, 41 minutes behind time.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on Monday 21 November, VA1294, the 1200 'high noon' CNS - MEL (B738 VH-VUW) is arriving at around 1709 hours, 44 minutes late, as it was not in the sky until 1249. If it is any consolation, the earlier but competing company's JQ945, the 0930 hours CNS - MEL was not airborne until 1251 hours.

VH-YFJ (another B738) on VA274 ex CBR is arriving in MEL 51 minutes delayed at 1701 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA686 on 21 November is in a holding pattern over Cressy, Victoria near the completion of its PER - MEL task, so A332 VH-XFD should arrive at about 1915 hours, 35 minutes late after this 1205 scheduled departure was airborne at 1253, which was around 25 late.

VA1754 (HTI - MEL) should pull in 36 minutes late at 1911 hours with VH-VUJ, a B738.

Northbound VA867, the 1700 hours MEL - SYD took off at 1834 and as at 1930 had not long emerged from a 'hold' over the Cullerin ranges. Arrival of B738 Vh-VUW should be at about 2000 hours, 95 minutes delayed. The 1730 hours northbound fared better with takeoff at 1830, so this VA871 is ahead of VA867; 871 should be at its destination at 1949, 54 minutes past its allotted at gate arrival time.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Tuesday 22 November, AFF member Himeno kindly informed us on the QF delays thread that there were many delays earlier on Tuesday 22 November with MEL down to one runway.

In the early evening, delays are continuing, with VA865, the 1645 hours MEL - SYD (E190 VH-ZPI) airborne at 1742 with a 44 minute late arrival expected at around 1854.

Southbound VA278 (1700 hours CBR - MEL, B738 VH-VUF) took off pretty much on time at 1719 but MEL arrival is predicted as 37 minutes late at 1847 with a holding pattern in the standard location above Mt Buller (Vic) not assisting timekeeping.

VA236 (1705 hours from ADL across to MEL that became airborne at 1759) os B738 VH-VUL. It is predicted to arrive at about 2017, 82 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on Tuesday 22 November, VA888 (B738 VH-VOT), the 2000 hours SYD - MEL that took off pretty much on time at 2021 was as at 2146 in a 'hold' above Mt Buller (Vic) so arrival is predicted as 37 minutes late at 2212, which may turn out to be a slight underestimate of the delay. It is holding with two QF and an FJ aircraft.

 

[Bolthead]

Email from VA yesterday warning me that my flight this afternoon (23rd November) to OOL may be postponed or cancelled due to a forecasted storm to hit Sydney.... Time will tell.

 

[kpc]

Email from VA yesterday warning me that my flight this afternoon (23rd November) to OOL may be postponed or cancelled due to a forecasted storm to hit Sydney.... Time will tell.

Ditto Va556 from Per to Syd eta 545pm....full A330 too...captain on PA has made no further comment apart from "passing showers"...so fingers crossed we are not delayed / diverted etc

 

[Bolthead]

Email from VA yesterday warning me that my flight this afternoon (23rd November) to OOL may be postponed or cancelled due to a forecasted storm to hit Sydney.... Time will tell.

Diito Va556 from Per to Syd eta 545pm....full A330 too...captain on PA has made no further comment apart from "passing showers"...so fingers crossed we are not delayed / diverted etc

Appears my flight is leaving on time at 1710. It has been raining but now appears to have slowed down a bit. Fingers crossed...