Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

There was morning fog predicted for ABX (and WGA) so that may explain why VA1174 (0805 hours Thursday 25 May SYD to ABX) departed at about 0935.

VA256, the 0840 hours CBR - MEL (B738 VH-VUJ) did not take off until 0858; arrival should be at 1056, 66 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Thursday 25 May, VA838 (the 1200 'high noon' SYD - MEL, B738 VH-YVA) took off at 1238. Predicted arrival is 1425 hours, 50 minutes late.

 

[flydoc]

Perhaps a little OT for the thread (mods move if desired), but the ATSB report for the on ground collision between the 2 VA aircraft at HBA last December (post #595) has been released. Interesting reading- multiple contributing factors as is often the case with many incidents.
Investigation: AO-2016-167 - Taxiing collision involving Boeing 737s, VH-YFT and VH-VUP, Hobart Airport, Tasmania, on 7 December 2016

 

[samas]

VA567, the 28/5 Sunday evening 1815 departure Sydney to Perth was delayed to 1945 and then cancelled at approximately 1930, before any boarding had commenced.

I had friends that were booked on this service, I don't know the cause of the delay or cancellation yet, but am curious to see what they are informed and of their experience.

As a result the VA522, 29/5 Monday's 0555 departure Perth to Sydney is also showing up as cancelled, that was scheduled to operate on the same A332; VH-XFH.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA567, the 28/5 Sunday evening 1815 departure Sydney to Perth was delayed to 1945 and then cancelled at approximately 1930, before any boarding had commenced.

I had friends that were booked on this service, I don't know the cause of the delay or cancellation yet, but am curious to see what they are informed and of their experience....

samas, great report in unfortunate circumstances.

Were your friends given taxi or Uber vouchers (if Sydney residents) or an hotel if not, and if so, where? Have bus transfers and meals been provided?

To when are they rebooked?

 

[samas]

samas, great report in unfortunate circumstances.

Were your friends given taxi or Uber vouchers (if Sydney residents) or an hotel if not, and if so, where? Have bus transfers and meals been provided?

To when are they rebooked?

They have been rebooked on VA551 Monday morning 29/5, 0715 SYD departure, 1025 PER arrival
Booked into a local ibis hotel but awaiting confirmation of which one and transfer information.
Each receive $50 credit at ibis for meals/incidentals.

Will post when I have more info. The cancellation was due to a "technical issue"

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 29 May, VA252, the 0620 hours CBR - MEL took off at 0650 with B748 VH-VOP. Arrival is suggested as 0801, 31 minutes tardy.

 

[samas]

They have been rebooked on VA551 Monday morning 29/5, 0715 SYD departure, 1025 PER arrival
Booked into a local ibis hotel but awaiting confirmation of which one and transfer information.
Each receive $50 credit at ibis for meals/incidentals.

Will post when I have more info. The cancellation was due to a "technical issue"

Ended up being the Ibis Sydney Airport with transfers provided by "Sydney Super Shuttle"



VA551 the recovery option, first service Sydney to Perth, currently airborne, is looking to be a few minutes of on time at both ends.

Looks like VH-XFH will be doing the 1305 trans-continental service VA559 today.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tonight (29 May), VA236 (1855 hours arrival in MEL across from ADL) was cancelled.

On Tuesday 30 May 2017, VA827, the 0900 hours MEL - SYD has been cancelled. Southbound VA804, the 0630 hours from SYD down to the Victorian capital has also got the chop.

 

[OzEire]

On Monday 29 May, VA252, the 0620 hours CBR - MEL took off at 0650 with B748 VH-VOP. Arrival is suggested as 0801, 31 minutes tardy.

Boeing 747-800 seems excessive for a CBR-MEL sector

 

[Melburnian1]

OzEire, indeed. Unfortunately it is 24 hours and four minutes since I posted that so I cannot correct the error. Apologies: it was, of course, a B738.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thursday 1 June 2017 has VA736 (B738 VH-VUP, the 1155 hours OOL down to MEL that was not airborne until 1327) predicted to be at its designated arrival gate at 1537 hours, 77 minutes behind the schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on 1 June, VA879 (1830 hours MEL - SYD) has been cancelled as was VA854, the 1530 hours mid afternoon from SYD down to MEL.

Southbound VA882 (1900 hours SYD - MEL) took off at 1945 or so. Arrival of B738 VH-VON should be at 2111 hours, 36 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday 4 June 2017 sees VA318, the timetabled 1120 hours arrival in MEL ex BNE cancelled. Unless one occurred very early this morning, there is no 'balancing' flight cancelled ex MEL that is visible on websites.

 

[Melburnian1]

Much later on Sunday 4 June 2017, VA184 from NAN to MEL is predicted to arrive 45 late at 2200 hours.

VA753 (1715 hours MEL - OOL, B738 VH-VUT) was airborne exactly at 1800. Arrival should be at 2000 hours, 40 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 5 June 2017, SQ257 (VH-VOM, B738), the 0700 hours MEL - CBR took off at 0749, so arrival should be at around 0835, half an hour late.

 

[Melburnian1]

It looks like LST may be fogbound, which as far as I can see was not forecast by the BOM.

JQ731 got as far as LST from MEL but diverted back to MEL, while VA1362, the 0835 hours MEL - LST that was airborne at 0931 (B738 VH-VON) is currently (as at 0956 hours) circling above LST as is JQ745 from SYD.

UPDATE: VA1362 landed in LST at about 1012 hours, roughly 37 minutes late, but less delayed than JQ731 or JQ745.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 6 June 2017, VA1174 from SYD to ABX arrived at about 0935. Passengers were made to jump about 1.2 metres onto the tarmac.

Apparently a red-hatted man had allegedly left 'a note in the on board toilet.' He was arrested after arrival.

I have only viewed one report that did not state the number of passengers on board. There was no mention of any injuries from the compulsory, step-less jump, but elderly passengers would find this challenging if there were any.

 

[andyhui01]

On Tuesday 6 June 2017, VA1174 from SYD to ABX arrived at about 0935. Passengers were made to jump about 1.2 metres onto the tarmac.

.

My understanding of the article was the order to jump was made by the offender who opened the door and not the crew.

 

[Melburnian1]

andyhui01, this article states that passengers had to jump or climb out of a window, but is silent on who made them do it:

Virgin flight passengers evacuate via window, man arrested after plane lands - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

whereas this article partly supports what you suggest, but also mentions the air hostess ordering passengers to alight:

Virgin Australia: man arrested in Albury, NSW after Sydney flight