Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

There were some heavy storms approaching MEL in the early afternoon.

What is the relevance of that? Bags normally are unloaded in the rain, and as you state, at that time the rain was around Melbourne Airport, not at it.

 

[Himeno]

What is the relevance of that? Bags normally are unloaded in the rain, and as you state, at that time the rain was around Melbourne Airport, not at it.

If there is lightning sighted within a set distance of the airport, it's everyone inside.
There have been heavy rain and storms forecast for most of Victoria yesterday and today.
Could very well have been lightning near the airport shortly before QF94 landed, and while the aircraft could get to the gate, no ground crew would be allowed outside until the all clear given.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF23 from SYD to BKK on Saturday 2 December has been delayed from 1030 to 1410.

 

[serfty]

What is the relevance of that? Bags normally are unloaded in the rain, and as you state, at that time the rain was around Melbourne Airport, not at it.

You missed the point - its not rain, it is lightning - the merest chance if such and the ramps are vacated.

... As indicated by Himeno

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on Saturday 2 December, QF63 (1135 hours SYD - JNB) did not commence its pushing back until 1324. Same day arrival is estimated at 1735, an hour tardy, delaying this evening's redeye QF64 back to SYD. This aircraft, B744 VH-OEF had arrived in SYD this morning two minutes late at 0612 hours as QF74 ex SFO. While there is significant rain approaching Sydney, there are not huge delays to other flights, so there's no obvious cause for the QF63 delay.

QF28 from SCL departed exactly three hours late on Friday 1 December at 1635 as its turnaround took a bit more than two and a half hours, not the best ever achieved. Saturday 2 SYD arrival for B744 VH-OJU is forecast for 2055 tonight, 195 minutes late.

QF28 does not look to be forming QF25 (SYD - HND) tonight so the latter should be, as is usual, punctual.

 

[DeKa]

I suspect QF73 today will be further delayed. A guy passed out in gate 10 and everyone was moved out of the secure area for 30 min

 

[Melburnian1]

At the absolute minimum, his hold luggage would have to be removed but passengers going through security again would take the most time. Thank you: always amazing to receive succinct yet extremely interesting on the spot reports. Anything can happen! The QF website continues to show '1930 hours' as the departure time, which has passed.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 3 December, QF44 from DPS to SYD has been cancelled. Media is stating that atmospheric conditions in Bali are worsening again.

 

[Himeno]

You missed the point - its not rain, it is lightning - the merest chance if such and the ramps are vacated.

... As indicated by Himeno

And it isn't just in Australia. It's anywhere with sane safety requirements. A few years ago, I was on QF25 and arrived at HND around 30 minutes early. Taxied to the bay, but was unable to get off for another 40 minutes because there was lightning in the area and the ground crew weren't even allowed to move the jet bridge.
This can cause delays at airports without stand guidance systems where they need marshallers to be on the apron guiding aircraft in

 

[Melburnian1]

DeKa was correct: QF73 departed at 1950. Same day arrival (Saturday 2) is estimated at 1315, 50 minutes late, so quite a substantial gate-to-gate gain.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Sunday 3 December, QF129 from SYD departed 25 late at 1129 with PVG arrival estimated as 1906, 35 minutes tardy.

The B744 long haul from SYD across to JNB, QF63 continued the trend during the last couple of months for these 'Jumbo' flights to be unreliable with departure at 1312, 97 minutes late with projected arrival at O R Tambo airport at about 1805 hours, 90 late. Inevitably, QF64 will be delayed back overnight to Sydney.

Another B744, QF27 from SYD across to SCL departed 40 late at 1330. Same day arrival should be 45 minutes behind schedule at 1155 hours, slightly delaying QF28.

A third B744, QF73 from SYD across the Pacific to SFO should depart 185 minutes late at 2100 hours mid evening. The aircraft is VH-OEF that arrived in SYD at 1700 late this afternoon, 90 minutes late.

Yet another B744, QF15 from BNE to LAX commenced pushing back 63 late at 1223 early this afternoon. Predicted same day arrival is 0630, half an hour late.

QF81 (1135 hours from SYD to the Lion City) pushed back at 1212, arriving 41 minutes late at 1726.

QF97 (0940 hours morning BNE - HKG) was cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Sunday 3 December, QF73 (1755 hours SYD - SFO) had not departed by 2210 hours.

If the crew signed on for QF73 at around 1700 hours this afternoon, the hours must be coming close to having to abandon a departure tonight. Calling redoubtable AFFers milehighclub or Flyerqf for advice!

 

[Melburnian1]

Well, well, well, There must be something wrong with B744 VH-OEF (and crew presumably out of hours as well) as Sunday 3 December's QF73, the 1755 hours, will now depart at 1400 hours tomorrow afternoon (Monday 4, 1205 minutes late) with arrival in the Bay City at a projected 0805 on Monday instead of 1230 this afternoon.

I assume that the earliest that the Sunday 3 QF74 from SFO to SYD could depart is about 1000 on Monday 4 for a 1930 hours arrival on Tuesday 5 December, given the curfew constraints in Sydney.

 

[Flyerqf]

Well, well, well, There must be something wrong with B744 VH-OEB (and crew presumably out of hours as well) as Sunday 3 December's QF73, the 1755 hours, will now depart at 1400 hours tomorrow afternoon (Monday 4, 1205 minutes late) with arrival in the Bay City at a projected 0805 on Monday instead of 1230 this afternoon.

I assume that the earliest that the Sunday 3 QF74 from SFO to SYD could depart is about 1000 on Monday 4 for a 1930 hours arrival on Tuesday 5 December, given the curfew constraints in Sydney.

VH-OEF was the aircraft. Issue with air conditioning. Passengers kept on board for 3.5 hrs before delayed overnight.

 

[Melburnian1]

Apologies, Flyerqf. In post 6631 I had noted the correct aircraft and then wrote the wrong one in the next post. Thanks as always.

 

[Melburnian1]

The overnight delayed Sunday 3 December QF74 hasn't been altered to depart at 1000 on Monday 4 as I surmised above, but to 1100 on Monday for an expected SYD arrival at 2005 hours on Tuesday night 5 December. At present, it looks to be forming QF25, the scheduled 2135 hours SYD - HND that if these times hold will be slightly delayed on Tuesday night in its pushing back.

Given that the flight forming QF74, QF73, is not departing SYD for at least another six and a half hours, this is all academic at this stage.

Sunday 3's QF64 (B744 VH-OEG) departed JNB at 2040 hours, 110 minutes late but on a total journey basis (not the flight time) is expected to pick up quite some time with arrival in SYD on Monday 4 at 1625 hours, 55 minutes behind schedule.

On Monday 4 December, QF8 from DFW to SYD arrived 32 minutes late at 0637 hours.

QF129 (1055 hours SYD - PVG) is expected to depart an hour late, arriving in the mainland Chinese centre of commerce 35 down at 1905 tonight.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Monday 4 December, QF422 (1000 hours MEL - SYD, A332 VH-EBN) took off at 1102, so arrival is suggested at 1203 hours, 38 minutes late.

In the opposite direction, QF421 (0930 hours ex SYD) was airborne at 1036. B738 VH-VXH should pull in to its allocated MEL gate at 1153 hours, 48 late.

QF63, the SYD - JNB, departed 69 minutes late at 1244 so arrival is expected same day at 1740, 65 late, again delaying redeye QF64 back to SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

The overnight delayed QF73 (timetabled at 1755 hours ex SYD yesterday, Sunday 4 December) has been further altered to supposedly depart at 1445 this afternoon, Monday 5. Same day SFO arrival should be at 0905 hours on Monday.

UPDATE: B744 VH-OEB (not VH-OEF, so my slip above turned out correct) departed SYD at 1512 hours as QF73D (more than 21 hours late), taking off at 1528 on Monday 4.

Colleague VH-OEF has not turned a wheel carrying passengers since arriving SYD on Sunday 3 (90 minutes late on QF64 at 1700 hours.)

This afternoon's 1755 hours QF73 from SYD to SFO has been altered to depart at 1940, so delays continue on this popular route. It is being formed by the arriving QF28 (B744 VH-OJU) that on Sunday 3 departed SCL 66 late at 1431 hours, mid afternoon, but which is showing as only five minutes late into SYD this afternoon at 1745 hours.

On Sunday 3, QF64 departed JNB at 2321 hours, 271 minutes late with SYD arrival expected tonight at 1957 hours, 267 late. Aircraft is B744 VH-OEG.

This will delay QF25 marginally (the 2135 hours SYD - HND) to at least 2145, but more if the numerous tasks take longer than minimum turnaround time.

With the troubles QF continues to experience with its B744s, there may be some 'fun' ahead for travellers in the lead up to Christmas and then until mid January when peak utilisation and travel demand occurs. For instance, the QF seasonal SYD - YVR - SYD B744 QF75/QF76 thrice weekly flights begin in less than a week on Saturday 9 December ex SYD.

 

[ayebee]

Was idly checking a friend's progress through LAX and happened to notice QF12 3Dec JFK - LAX (VH-OEI) was sitting at the west end of the airport.
Checking a bit closer, it landed 20.57 right on time and then sent on a taxiway tour, and arrived at the gate 65 minutes later.
That would be frustrating for all involved.

 

[Flying mermaid]

QF7 departed an hour late today, but is supposed to be catching up most of that. Will be watching it as Dr FM is on it and has a reasonably tight connection in DFW - fortunately all on the same ticket, so she is protected....