Jetstar Delays/Cancellations

Melburnian1

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Jun 7, 2013
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AFF member mannej made the excellent suggestion that other airlines apart from QF should be featured in threads about flight delays and cancellations. I am therefore commencing one about JQ, and may do so for others in time.

Today's wet weather and extensive cloud cover across much of southeastern Australia has contributed to poor punctuality for not just JQ but QF, TT and VA as well. Two hour delays or worse have been relatively regular today. This is a substantial impost on a business traveller and while not the same mode or country, comparisons with a typical day on most intercity high speed rail networks worldwide including in reasonably difficult weather show just how deficient east coast 'golden triangle' air travel in Australia has become on some days for punctuality as the finite number of runways and airport gates have become busier (although it is not always a steady linear upwards trend with respect to air traveller numbers).

JQ appears to have a systemic problem in MEL in that it needs to undertake about 30 tows a day due to limited numbers of bays from which its flights can have passengers boarding and alighting.

Today, JQ439 from OOL to MEL was timetabled as a 1255 departure but departed at 1752, almost five hours late. It is now due into MEL at 2001 in lieu of the normal 1520.

The normal 1510 hours JQ509 from SYD to MEL departed 116 minutes late at 1706 and is due at MEL at 1846, 121 minutes late despite what is normally a very adequate 95 minute timetable.

JQ795, the 1435 MCY to MEL departed more than three hours late at 1742 and should arrive MEL at 1955, a small gain on the schedule.

JQ441 from OOL to MEL is not quite as much behind time as its sister JQ439, but nonetheless departed OOL at 1743, 148 minutes late with forecast arrival in the southern capital at 1953, 133 minutes behind time.

JQ949 from CNS to MEL departed at 1817 in lieu of its normal 1530 and should arrive MEL at 2116, 141 minutes late.

JQ476 from MEL to NTL is shown at Melbourne Airport - Flight Information, Shopping & Parking as likely to depart three hours and 55 minutes late at 1920. still more than half an hour away while JQ524 from MEL to SYD is to be delayed two and a half hours from 1820 to 2050, so it may be at risk of breaching the SYD 2300 hours curfew if it has a further 55 minute delay on top of the expected.

JQ713 from MEL to HBA (the 1810), JQ450 to OOL and JQ568 to BNE (both timetabled out at 1845) have all been cancelled. Are waiting passengers at LST, BNE and OOL who may be unable to board cancelled return workings, plus those delayed in MEL, accomodated overnight at JQ's expense if flights on which to place such passengers are unavailable tonight or must they wing it?

JQ749 from MEL to LST has been delayed from 1940 to an estimated 2120 while JQ568 to BNE has been altered from a 2100 departure to a late 2230. JQ970 to PER escapes with a comparatively modest 65 minute delay until a predicted 2130.

While JQ cannot control the weather and its lack of MEL gates may be rectified with Melbourne Airport's opening of T4 in 2015, these late flights on the evening of a school holiday weekday show how delays earlier ion the day worsen as the day proceeds if an airline lacks sufficient handling infrastructure.

It is notable how far fewer JQ flights into and out of SYD are suffering the delays of MEL rotations. 'Max the Axe' deserves criticism for his self serving anti high speed train attitude, but perhaps he and the malinged by some AFFers Macquarie have done a slightly better job than MEL in providing gates for JQ and other operators' flights.

With MEL raking in a profit margin of about 79 cents for every dollar paid for its car parking, one might have thought that lessee APAC would have already invested in a new T4 some years ago. The extra fuel and staff time that these sorts of delays cost QF (part of the QF group) must be quite substantial, and very unwelcome as far as QF's beancounters and shareholders go.
 
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Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

Tonight due to what markis10 suggested may be problems with sufficient staffing for ATC in MEL - maybe not helped by another fairly poor weather day - JQ526, the timetabled 2030 from MEL to SYD that had earlier been altered to depart 85" late at 2155 seems in the end not to have departed MEL as at 2231 as far as I can see.

Poor passengers - I hope none have to attempt sleep on the floor at MEL with that blaring bright white lighting.

There are some bad airline punctuality late evenings when NSWTrainLink's overnight XPT from MEL to SYD or v.v. can actually be more reliable but typically airline passengers do not know this in advance.

One hopes that Holy Thursday won't be similarly bleak weatherwise as that and Good Friday are either the busiest days for Australian domestic air carriers or extremely close to it.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

Two JQ flights to Sydney were cancelled on Thursday night. THe queue for rebooking went almost the length of the terminal (being A321s that were cancelled). I suppose JQ felt that it was too risky trying to beat the curfew.
 
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Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

Two JQ flights to Sydney were cancelled on Thursday night. THe queue for rebooking went almost the length of the terminal (being A321s that were cancelled). I suppose JQ felt that it was too risky trying to beat the curfew.

Do JQ passengers receive free hotel accommodation (if JQ can source rooms, sometimes easy and sometimes very difficult or nigh on impossible) overnight, or is that only extended to passengers who live more than a certain distance from MEL, or is it basically still a case of 'you're on your own, sport'?

JQ received some adverse publcity a few years back when no one was ever given hotel rooms in such circumstances. My recollection is it altered its policy.

At 2330 or so tonight, the much delayed JQ1 (and codeshare QF285) (normally departing at 1630) ex MEL to HNL has just been cancelled, so those holidaying in Hawaii may be unaware that their arrangements to get back to Australia may change if booked on the return of this rotation.
 
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Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ35 from MEL to DPS has been delayed overnight from its timetabled 1825 this evening to 0800 on Friday 6 June.

Am I correct that the aircraft has failed ('gone tech' in the euphemism the airline industry loves)? There does not appear to be any reported further problems with volcanoes doing what they do best.

Presumably the return working, JQ36, that is due to arrive MEL tomorrow morning at 0705 has also got the chop. It sure hasn't been a happy week or two for travellers between Oz east coast and DPS if they want to return on time from holidays.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

coughet bound JQ17 departed MEL last night (Saturday 28 June 2014) at 1826, an hour and 56 minutes late with HKT arrival at 2352, an hour and 42 minutes behind time.

However the return JQ18 did not depart until 0725 Thai time this morning (Sunday 29 June) with Boeing 787-8 'Dreamliner' VH-VKA about to touch down at MEL.

In turn, this has delayed JQ35 from MEL to DPS by an estimated 65 minutes with the Melbourne Airport website forecasting departure at what may be a slightly optimistic 1930 tonight.

JetStar News | is silent thus far on any reason for the HKT delay with the only recent mention of the aircraft being a positioning run on Friday from MEL to SYD, which is unrelated to yesterday and today's delays.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

As an update, JQ35 did not depart MEL until 2010 (an hour and 45 late) and is due into DPS at 0001 Monday in lieu of 2210 tonight. In turn, JQ46 to BNE will be delayed by about an hour and a half, while the BNE airport website already suggests that JQ45 will be slightly late tomorrow morning ex BNE for DPS. Hopefully the next flight for VH-VKA can be back to 'on time.'
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

I know a JQ captain who jokes that he likes weather delays because if the aircraft is holding the cabin crew sell more Pringles. Putting pilots on commission... There's an idea for you AJ!
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

He may also like the weather related delays because he presumably receives greater remuneration. It may also mean a bit more (unexpected) time away from SWMBO, which for some males could be a bonus.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ23 from MEL to NRT that was due to depart at 2300 on Friday 11 July is only boarding now, some ten hours late. In turn, JQ24 this afternoon back from NRT has been altered to depart at 1850 instead of 1245 with an 0620 + 1 arrival forecast in MEL, although if JQ23 hasn't yet departed MEL, that might have to be changed due to the further delay.

UPDATE: The flight ended up departing at 0922 so is due at NRT at 2035. While the JQ site shows JQ24 departing at 1945, this isn't possible, so it now looks more like a 2145 or so departure for an arrival in MEL tomorrow morning (Sunday 13 July) at about 0915.

In turn, this may delay JQ15 that is due out of MEL at 0700 on Sunday morning for CNS and KIX, but perhaps the Jetstar 'Plan B' may be to operate JQ15 as a domestic flight from MEL to CNS and then, if it can alter rosters, find a plane for the Japanese leg. Another AFFer said that JQ did this recently for that flight if I recall.
 
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Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ23 from MEL to NRT that was due to depart at 2300 on Friday 11 July is only boarding now, some ten hours late. In turn, JQ24 this afternoon back from NRT has been altered to depart at 1850 instead of 1245 with an 0620 + 1 arrival forecast in MEL, although if JQ23 hasn't yet departed MEL, that might have to be changed due to the further delay.

UPDATE: The flight ended up departing at 0922 so is due at NRT at 2035. While the JQ site shows JQ24 departing at 1945, this isn't possible, so it now looks more like a 2145 or so departure for an arrival in MEL tomorrow morning (Sunday 13 July) at about 0915.

In turn, this may delay JQ15 that is due out of MEL at 0700 on Sunday morning for CNS and KIX, but perhaps the Jetstar 'Plan B' may be to operate JQ15 as a domestic flight from MEL to CNS and then, if it can alter rosters, find a plane for the Japanese leg. Another AFFer said that JQ did this recently for that flight if I recall.

JQ11 arrives in NRT at 1900, so it will most likely operate JQ24. Then JQ23 will operate JQ12.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

Thank you, Flyerqf. JF11 is running half an hour late and is expected to arrive NRT at 1925. JQ23 may be at NRT at about 1900 (not 2035 as I suggested above). If as you say 23 forms 12, JQ12 could conceivably depart on time at 2025, but JQ24 to MEL would still be very late at about 2045.

UPDATE: JQ12 ended up departing NRT at 2003 for a forecast Sunday 13 July 2014 arrival of 0715 in MEL, while JQ12 is forecast to depart NRT at 2040, only 15 minutes late for an 0640 + 1 arrival in OOL, also 15" late.

On Sunday, JQ15 to CNS and KIX ex MEL at 0700 has been cancelled, suggesting as I had predicted that passengers may travel on a domestic to CNS. Can any AFFers confirm this?
 
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Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ23 from MEL to NRT that was due to depart at 2300 on Friday 11 July is only boarding now, some ten hours late.

This has happened three times recently.... only on the Friday night (which becomes SAT AM) out of MEL. Something is going wrong in a predictable yet un managed manner it seems.

I'm planning to fly on this flight... so I hope they sort it out.

Andrew
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ35 from MEL to DPS was timetabled to depart at 1820 tonight but an aircraft must have failed, as its departure is delayed until 2330, formed by the 27 minute early arrival of JQ44 (also from DPS) at 2128.

In turn, tonight's JQ46 from DPS to BNE has been delayed from 2335 to 0450 on Tuesday 22 July's morning, meaning a forecast BNE arrival of 1210 tomorrow, five and a quarter hours late.

JQ47 tomorrow will then be delayed from its usual 0845 departure ex BNE to an estimated 1340 with forecast arrival in DPS of 1810 tomorrow night, not the scheduled 1315.

JQ44 from DPS to MEL will then operate at a predicted time of 1940 for an 0250 arrival in MEL on Wednesday 23 July, not the most attractive time to arrive in the southern capital during winter. This is a forecast four hours and 55 minutes late. This may be the end of the delayed cycles.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ23 from MEL to NRT that was due to depart at 2300 on Friday 11 July is only boarding now, some ten hours late. .

Do you know how they treat the punters in this situation... are they left to mill/sleep around the airport or advised not to come in until a certain time?
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ166 CHC-MEL and return flight JQ171 MEL-CHC were delayed nearly 5 hours and 4 hours respectively last night...

JQ166 ended up departing Christchurch at 1.14am, arriving in Melbourne at 2.50am. JQ171 departed at 3.36am, with the delay the flight is now due to arrive at 8.45am NZ time.

The JQ171 scheduled departure time of 11.45pm is already horrible... Yikes, I feel sorry for the passengers...
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

JQ528 tonight from MEL to SYD (A321 VH-VWT) is about an hour late and may make it into the latter by the briefest of margins prior to the 2300 curfew. The weather in MEL must not have assisted its rotations.
 
Re: General Jetstar Delays/Cancellations/etc. Discussion

Once again, there are lengthy delays on the MEl - DPS route.

This morning, JQ43 is not expected to depart until 1125 (timetabled departure is 0915) which may be due to the very much delayed JQ36 from DPS not expected to arrive until 1905, 11 hours and 50 minutes late.

In turn tonight's JQ35 is forecast to also run late, not departing MEL until 2030 in lieu of the usual 1810.
 

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