Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar and QantasLink Cancel Fifteen New Flights, Stranding Travellers across Australia and Vietnam, Cause Travel Turmoil at Melbourne, Sydney, Ho Chi Minh City and More Airports

Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, and QantasLink have cancelled fifteen flights, causing major travel turmoil across Australia and Vietnam. The cancellations are leaving travellers stranded at key airports, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Ho Chi Minh City. These disruptions have thrown travel plans into chaos, with affected passengers scrambling to find alternative flights. The cancellations span several major routes, including domestic flights between Melbourne and Sydney, as well as international flights connecting Australia to Vietnam.

This sudden change has created confusion and frustration among travellers who were hoping to reach their destinations on time. Passengers are urged to check for updates from Virgin Australia, Qantas, Jetstar, and QantasLink regarding rebooking options. With delays expected, it’s important for passengers to stay in contact with airlines to make necessary adjustments and avoid further inconvenience during this ongoing disruption.

Cities, Airports, and Countries Affected

The disruption has affected several key cities across Australia:

• Melbourne (MEL): As one of Australia’s largest international and domestic airports, Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport has seen multiple cancellations, impacting passengers flying to and from Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, and even international destinations like Ho Chi Minh City.
• Sydney (SYD): A major hub in Australia, Sydney has also been heavily impacted by the cancellations, with multiple routes to Melbourne and regional cities now affected.
• Brisbane (BNE): This hub for domestic travel between Queensland and other states has had multiple flights cancelled, affecting passengers traveling to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Emerald.
• Perth (PER): Perth Airport has experienced cancellations on regional flights, including those to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, affecting Western Australian travelers.
• Canberra (CBR): Cancellations on flights between Melbourne and Canberra have caused inconvenience for passengers planning to visit Australia’s capital city.

Internationally, travelers on routes such as Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) to Melbourne are also facing cancellations.

Detailed Flight Cancellations

Jetstar (JST)
Jetstar has cancelled 4 flights, severely impacting travelers flying to and from Melbourne, Sydney, and Tan Son Nhat International in Ho Chi Minh City. Passengers on these routes face cancellations that will delay their plans by several hours.

• Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD): Several flights between these two major cities were cancelled, affecting both business and leisure travelers.
• Tan Son Nhat International (SGN) to Melbourne (MEL): International travelers from Ho Chi Minh City are impacted by the cancellation of flights back to Australia.

Virgin Australia (VOZ)
Virgin Australia’s cancellations have primarily affected flights between Perth and Kalgoorlie-Boulder, as well as from Adelaide to Brisbane.

Here is the table format for the cancelled Virgin Australia flights:

Qantas (QFA)
Qantas has reported the highest number of cancellations in this disruption. A total of 6 flights were cancelled, impacting passengers flying between Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, and Adelaide.

• Melbourne (MEL) to Sydney (SYD): Flights between these two major cities were affected, causing inconvenience for thousands of domestic travelers.
• Broome (BME) to Melbourne (MEL): Travelers arriving from Broome are facing cancellations, adding to the disruption.
• Brisbane (BNE) to Emerald (EMD): Passengers flying to and from this regional airport are experiencing delays and cancellations.

QantasLink (QJE)
QantasLink, a regional subsidiary of Qantas, has been hit with 2 flight cancellations, impacting passengers traveling between Brisbane and Melbourne and Melbourne and Canberra.

• Brisbane (BNE) to Melbourne (MEL): This important route for both business and tourism has been disrupted.
• Melbourne (MEL) to Canberra (CBR): Cancellations on this route are particularly disruptive for travelers headed to Australia’s capital.

What Affected Passengers Can Do Now

For passengers affected by these disruptions, several steps can be taken to address the situation:

1. Check for Rebooking Options: Airlines have already begun offering rebooking options for affected travelers, and many are waiving rebooking fees due to the scale of the disruption. Passengers should reach out to their airline’s customer service for alternative flight arrangements.
2. Seek Refunds: If passengers cannot be rebooked in a reasonable time frame, they may be eligible for refunds. Airline policies are likely to be more lenient given the situation.
3. Stay Updated: It’s essential to regularly check the airline’s website or mobile app for live updates on flight status. Most airlines are also sending notifications directly to affected customers via email or SMS.
4. Accommodation and Meals: For passengers stranded at airports overnight, many airlines are providing meal vouchers and hotel accommodations. Affected passengers should inquire with their airline about any available assistance.

Source: FlightAware

Image Credit: Virgin Australia