Dozens of flights cancelled and major delays at major Australian airports: Here’s what’s causing the chaos
- Up to dozen flights cancelled in Sydney on Friday
- Flow-on effect of air traffic controller shortage
- Strong winds forecast adding to airport chaos
Travellers have been warned to expect major delays and flight cancellations as chaos strikes Australia’s busiest airports for a second consecutive day.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia have already cancelled dozens of flights on Friday morning, a day after many were either delayed or cancelled along Australia’s east coast.
The widespread delays and cancellations were caused by a severe shortage of air traffic controllers that led to the closure of airspace to south of Brisbane.
The disruptions impacted on thousands of travellers and continue to have a knock-on effect across the country on Friday morning.
Strong westerly winds forecast for Sydney has added to the chaos.
There were busy scenes at Sydney Airport early Friday (pictured), where a number of flights have already been cancelled
Thousands of passengers are already streaming through Sydney Airport as the NSW school holidays kick off.
Frustrated passengers have taken to social media to vent their anger on Friday after their flights were cancelled.
‘Cheers @VirginAustralia for the text as I’m travelling to the airport from the country saying my 9:30am flight melb>syd is now at 4:30pm. No seats left on any flight for the next 7hrs? Business must be good. It’s ok only 2 hours till the customer service line opens!’ one woman fumed.
Another traveller tweeted: @VirginAustralia cancelled a flight leaving us all trying to figure out what’s going on & they have not a single employee here to help.’
A third wrote: ‘Jetstar please stop cancelling flights to Sydney on smash weekend.’
A shortage of air traffic controllers in Brisbane on Thursday caused widespread disruptions to flights along Australia’s east coast, which have had a flow-on effect
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia for further comment.
Qantas said 100 flights had been delayed across the group on Thursday while 10 services were cancelled because of the airspace restrictions.
Virgin Australia also felt the brunt with flights to and from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ballina forced to operate around the uncontrolled airspace, which added time and distance.
Qantas was forced to cancel 10 flights on Thursday because of airspace restrictions
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