Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Silvia]

Continuing today, VA1724 KTA-PER (VH-VNJ) 9 35 service departed until 12 45, 190 behind schedule and landed at 14 25, 170 tardy.

VA466 BNE-PER (VH-YFE) 12 55 service left at 14 10, 75 min tardy, landed at 17 54, 94 late. This has affected VA694 PER-MEL service, originally scheduled for a 17 15 departure, now with a tentative 18 39 departure.

VA954 BNE-SYD (VH-VUT) 14 05 service did not take off until 16 07, 122 late and landed at 18 28, 108 behind schedule. This affected VA870 SYD-MEL 17 30 service which did not depart until 19 21, 111 late, landed at 20 31, 86 tardy.

VA1375 (VH-VUC) the 17 00 service LST-MEL departed at 17 43, 43 late and landed at 19 12, 67 tardy. Holding patterns and a go around made the flight a bit lengthier.

VA532 OOL-SYD 16 05 did not leave until 17 39, 94 tardy and landed at 19 52, 77 late. VH-VBZ.

VA863 MEL-SYD 16 30 service departed until 17 36, 66 behind and landed at 18 42, 47 late. VH-VUV is the rego.

VA543 SYD-OOL 19 40 service just took off at 20 59, 79 late, it is expected at 21 04, 64 late. VH-YFL is the rego.

 

[jase05]

Tomorrow mornings VA814 SYD-MEL scheduled for 0745 has been cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA78 (Tuesday 27 November 2018, the afternoon 1700 hours CBR down to MEL - B738 VH-VFY) took off at 1752. An 1857 hours arrival, 47 late is the prediction.

 

[Melburnian1]

AFF member Quickstatus asked (in the QF delays/ cancellations thread) about the BOM prediction for hairy weather in Sydney tomorrow (and also BNE, though there it's a possible dust storm). He asked if the airlines would have contingency plans.

Here was my response. If you think it's wrong or I've missed something, please correct me!

Based on previous such occurrences, it very much depends on when it hits and (naturally) intensity. (I'm no weather expert).

On Christmas Day 2011, I was at Melbourne Airport in late arvo when a most intense storm hit. Part of the international check in area was flooded (roof leak) and flights were in chaos. Due to other passengers on cancelled domestic flights, I was able to be rerouted on my international flight (as the one I booked got the flick).

Wednesday (like Tuesday) tends to be the least busy weekday(s) so that's a blessing in disguise as fewer will be affected.

Can airlines 'plan' for a 70mm minimum forecast rain dump in Sydney at an uncertain time, the forecast issued by BOM? I doubt it. For most of Oz, that's an extremely large amount of rain in a 24 hour period, let alone shorter downpours. Tropical intensity is it not?

Paranoia is uncalled for but those who have tickets that can be changed for no fee, and the luxury of flexibility in travel plans might be advised to try to travel early in the morning to or from Sydney, or alternatively defer travel until Thursday.

Although not publicised in the media, in the last couple of weeks we've already had a couple of nights where thousands of passengers did not reach their intended destination on the same day. Our airlines do not guarantee to 'uplift' us on the same day we have booked, a condition of travel that one suspects many Australians continue to be blissfully unaware of.

One of the biggest problems for airlines, like any passenger transport business, must be how staff rapidly become 'out of position' - not where they ought be according to rosters (assuming domestically they have to change aircraft). And MEL has already been accused of timetabling more flights than it can handle per hour: perhaps not as big a problem on a Wednesday as on a Friday arvo. AFF member AviatorInsight recently made some rather direct comments in the VA tread about how "lovely" MEL is to operate into. He didn't mince words.

With SYD and MEL such important cogs in the national domestic airline network, one would have to say that if we have a storm, 60 per cent of nationwide flights (at least) could be adversely affected.

 

[jase05]

The following are all cancellations to start tomorrow off.
0600 VA401 ADL-SYD
0630 VA804 SYD-MEL
0630 VA807 MEL-SYD
0700 VA811 MEL-SYD
0705 VA628 SYD-CBR
0705 VA629 CBR-SYD
0735 VA1528 SYD-HBA
0845 VA412 SYD-ADL
0900 VA925 SYD-BNE
0910 VA511 SYD-OOL
1000 VA141 SYD-AKL

Best of luck to anyone travelling to/from SYD tomorrow

 

[Melburnian1]

The weather in Sydney is abysmal unless one is a duck, so a huge number of delays with aircraft being held in SYD to depart two hours late from first flights, and I suspect ATC holding others at non-SYD origins.

VA304, the Wednesday 28 November 0555 hours BNE down to MEL took off at 0634 and should arrive at 0954 hours, 39 late with B738 VH-VUA.

 

[Silvia]

VA551 SYD-PER 7 15 service is currently delayed, expected departure around 8 20, if weather permits. (VH-XFG).
VA1413 SYD-CNS 8 50 service has a tentative departure of 9 53 (VH-YIA). This is as VA904 BNE-SYD 5 30am service did not depart until 6 43, 73 late and due to land about 9am, 65 tardy.
VA809 MEL-SYD 6 45am service (VH-VUI) is currently taxing out of MEL, this will delay VA824 SYD-MEL originally scheduled for 9am, now tentative departure of 10 44
VA SYD-PQQ 8 40 service is cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on 28 November 2018, VA800 (the 0600 hours SYD down to MEL, B738 VH-VOM) took off at 0812 with arrival suggested as 0930 hours, 115 minutes late.

This is the first morning departure of any of the four domestic airlines on this most popular route, showing how much aircraft have head to be held in Sydney. Timekeeping disaster.

VA402 (0645 hours SYD across to ADL) was in the sky at 0822. Predicted arrival for B738 VH-VUO is 0950, 85 late.

 

[AviatorInsight]

Spot on Melburnian. VA have been working hard overnight in preparation for today. The flight radar map looks like ATC are trying to join the dots with aircraft going in every direction to avoid the cells. An email from the company has suggested that Airservices have reduced slots into SYD today and expect possible delays of up to 3hrs for inbound flights.

 

[Silvia]

Following today, VA913 SYD-BNE 7 30am service did not depart until 9 29, 119 min late. It landed at 9 45am, 105 behind. This has had a flow effect on VA464 BNE-PER originally scheduled for a 8 40am service, now with a tentative scheduled departure of 10 36am (116 min late). VH-YVD is the rego.

VA812 SYD-MEL 7 30am service (VH-YFN) departed at 9 14am, 104 min tardy. Landed at 10 19am, 74 min behind schedule.

VA814 SYD-MEL 7 45am service (VH-YFI) did not leave until 9 28am, 103 late. Landed at 10 39am, 70 min tardy. This has delayed VA219 MEL-ADL 10 10am service which is currently taxing.

VA816 SYD-MEL 8am service (VH-VOO) took off at 10 22am, 142 behind. Recently landed in MEL at 11 29am (114 min tardy). This has slightly delayed VA327 MEL-BNE 12pm service.

VA917 SYD-BNE 8am service (VH-YFH) did not take off until 10 37am, 157 late. Arrival scheduled at 10 43am, 133 min late. This has delayed VA932 BNE-SYD originally scheduled for a 9 05am departure, now 11 32am as a tentative departure.

VA1413 SYD-CNS 8 50am service (VH-VOS) did not depart until 11 24am, 154 tardy. Arrival is suggested for 13 09, 134 late. This has affected VA1418 CNS-SYD 11 30am service, with a schedule departure of 14 02.

VA824 SYD-MEL 9am service (VH-VUI) left at 11 20, 140 min tardy. A schedule arrival into MEL is at 12 33, 118 min behind.

 

[Melburnian1]

...VA824 SYD-MEL 9am service (VH-VUI) left at 11 20, 140 min tardy. A schedule arrival into MEL is at 12 33, 118 min behind.

On 28 November, it is worse in the opposite direction, with B738 VH-YFJ on VA827, the 0900 hours from MEL up to SYD not taking off until 1204, so arrival is estimated at 1316 this afternoon, 171 minutes tardy.

VA823 (0830 hours MEL - SYD) was airborne at 1228, so is even later with arrival for VH-YFN likely at 1333 hours, 218 late.

The 1015 hours SYD - HKG (VA83, A332 VH-XFD) took off at 1203 so predicted arrival is 1814 hours, 99 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Silvia]

Continuing today
VA939 SYD-BNE 12 00 service (VH-VUA) is scheduled now for 14 19, 139 min behind schedule. This is as a result of the previous segment VA833 MEL-SYD 10am service being delayed. Furthermore, VA1117 BNE-PPP will have a delay, with a revised departure of 15 22, 102 late.

Previously advised delay on VH-YFH keeps having a knock on effect as VA932 BNE-SYD did not depart until 12 38, 213 late. It has an expected arrival to SYD of 14 56, 196 late. This will affect VA418 SYD-ADL 12 40 service, now with a revised departure of 15 49 (189 behind schedule), and also further delay VA228 ADL-MEL, which had an original departure time of 15 05, now 17 59, 179 tardy.

Also, VA837 MEL-SYD 11 01 service (VH-YFQ) did not depart until 13 30, 149 late. Expected arrival into SYD is 14 36, 131 tardy. This will furtger delay VA842 SYD-MEL which had an original 13 00 departure, now 15 37, 157 late. This will also affect VA277 MEL-CBR 15 15 service, now with a tentative departure of 17 43, 148 behind.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Wednesday 28 November 2018, VA685, the 1305 hours MEL - PER took off at 1453 so arrival looks to be 1552, 92 late. Uncomfortable B738 VH-YFR is the taskmaster.

 

[Silvia]

Continuing with today's delays

VA1153 the 13 55 SYD-TMW service is delayed to 16 27, 212 min behind. VH-FYR is the aircraft.

VA1534 SYD-HBA 14 05 service (VH-YFU) is delayed to 16 14, 129 min tardy. This will further delay VA1535 HBA-SYD, the originally scheduled 16 35 service, now with a revised departure of 18 35, 120 min behind.

VA1092 SYD-LST (VH-VUG) also delayed, with a tentative departure of 16 24, 114 tardy. This suggests that VA1375 LST-MEL 17 00 service will be delayed to a 18 37 departure, 97 min late.

VA1325 HBA-MEL (VH-VUX) 13 15 service did not leave until 15 30, 135 behind schedule. Arrival is expected about 16 22, 112 late. This has a flow effect and delays VA749 MEL-OOL 15 20 service with a tentative departure of 17 18, 118 late. Also affecting VA748 OOL-MEL 17 00 service which has a revised departure of 18 47, 107 min tardy.

VA1508 MCY-MEL 11 35 service (VH-YWA) left until 14 44, 189 min tardy. Expected arrival to MEL at 18 00, 180 min late. This also affects VA867 MEL-SYD 17 00, which has a very unlikely tentative departure of 18 20. This further affects VA981 SYD-BNE 19 00 service with a tentative departure of 20 29. My prediction is that VA867 will leave well after 18 20, but I love VA's optimism of a 20 min turnaround.

VA229 ADL-MEL 15 05 service (VH-YFH) has a scheduled departure of 18 20, 195 min behind. This affects VA347 MEL-BNE which was originally set to depart at 18 00, now revised departure of 20 46, 166 tardy. Also affecting VA354 BNE-MEL 19 55 service, with a tentative departure time of 20 33, 158 min tardy. This means a fairly late arrival into MEL.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA1166 on Wednesday 28 November from CFS down to SYD has B738 VH-VOl and should arrive at 1840 hours, 70 minutes late.

The 1505 hours mid afternoon BNE down to SYD, VA958 took off at 1605 with VH-YWE, meaning likely arrival at 1832, 52 late.

 

[I love to travel]

Any sense whether flights will be back to normal tomorrow morning or will aircraft be out of position. On 8.05am ADL to MEL

 

[Melburnian1]

Any sense whether flights will be back to normal tomorrow morning or will aircraft be out of position. On 8.05am ADL to MEL

I love, check any updates that the airline sends you overnight.

Va's website indicates that VA212 is operating normally tomorrow, but it may be a bit early to be definitive given the disruptions today.

Often provided weather is benign the next day (i.e. tomorrow) they can be good at recovering delays PROVIDED you aircraft hasn't say departed late to Darwin or Perth overnight.

Aircraft may be out of position but with such huge delays today, some flights may be cancelled because there are no available flight or cabin crews. Despite the wonders of software, it must be a nightmare planning tomorrow's flights when so many today were delayed on top of airline-arranged cancellations. Crew rosters must be skewiff. Logic tells me some crew will not be where the roster says they ought be tonight.

One thing we never hear about is whether on board airline staff get frustrated with these cancellations and delays. I assume on occasion a crew signing on in their home port may have to go home again. I'd find that annoying but perhaps they're used to it and it's water off a duck's back.

 

[Silvia]

Any sense whether flights will be back to normal tomorrow morning or will aircraft be out of position. On 8.05am ADL to MEL

From what I'm seeing, you should be fine... your aircraft is arriving to ADL tonight, it's only slightly delayed in MEL as VA243 which departs in an hour (20 20).

Best of luck tomorrow!

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on 28 November, VA139, the 1910 hours SYD - CHC took off at 2109 with B738 VH-YIM, meaning arrival at 0157 instead of 0015 on Thursday 29 November.

 

[AviatorInsight]

One thing we never hear about is whether on board airline staff get frustrated with these cancellations and delays. I assume on occasion a crew signing on in their home port may have to go home again. I'd find that annoying but perhaps they're used to it and it's water off a duck's back.

Reason why you never hear it is because we love what we do and yes we hate delays and cancellations as much as pax, we too have families that are waiting for us, so we are trying to do everything we can to get the flight out ASAP. Having said that, rushing will not help and mistakes will then be made, of course we don’t dawdle it’s a fine line and just goes to show the experience and diligence of both flight crew and cabin crew working together to make sure we have everyone and that we’re all safe.

I have been told once before sign on that my flight has been cancelled and to go back home. It was a little annoying to be battling the Blu Emu twice in as many days but the time at home is always appreciated.

Good luck to anyone travelling in the next few days and I’m sure there will be plenty of recovery around the network this weekend.