The 94 was forced to land at Avalon today due to high winds at MEL. The pax were kept on the aircraft for nearly 3hrs. Why couldn't they have been off-loaded and processed there?
Because:
a. Border Force staffing and rules.
b. Only remote parking and insufficient buses.
c. No ability to unload a 380 (no trained staff, etc).
d. I expect that most didn't want to go to Avalon anyway.
Also, there are continuing stories about MEL's third runway.
What's better, a North-South or East-West runway?
Well it would actually be nice if they built the place as it was supposed to be done back when it was first opened. Of course, much of that space has been used to provide space for all sorts of businesses unrelated to aviation.
If I have only one choice, I'd take north - south, but it has to be a decent length. Less than 3,000 metres is a waste.
According to FR24, todays QF 94 arrival was on final approach to MEL and at around 1200ft when the decision was taken to divert to Avalon.
Other arrivals immediately before and after were landing.
A bit like lemmings at a cliff?
What another aircraft does, on gusty days, is not relevant to you. He may not encounter anything of note, whilst the following aircraft runs into life threatening shear. Additionally, aircraft do not all behave the same way in poor weather. Of all the aircraft that I've flown the 767 was the best in nasty conditions. It had rapid control response, a lot of power, and a wing loading that was reasonably high. The 380 was probably the worst, as its wing loading when landing (weight per wing area) was low. Additionally, both the 380 and 747 offered the possibility of dragging an outboard engine on the ground.
What would be the factors / process / trigger to make the diversion decision when the runway was in sight a few kms away and closer than the diversion airport ?
Being in sight has nothing to do with it. If there is windshear, then it's dangerous. You can crash in good weather as well as poor. Melbourne 34 is prone to some very nasty undershoot shear, and is one of only a few places I ever encountered a windshear warning.