The delays continue. QF1504 (see above) departed HBA for MEL at 1426, 56 minutes late, arriving MEL at 1549, 64 minutes late, as that is one of the 'peaks' for MEL on weekdays.
QF1505 then pulled out (or more correctly, 'pushed back') from MEL at 1649, 84 minutes late - an unusually slow turnaround of an even hour, arriving HBA at 1755, 75 minutes behind time.
The next shuttle flight, QF1506, departed HBA at 1845 (85 late), again with a slow turnaround of 50 minutes and arrived in MEL tonight (Thursday 25 February) at 1956 hours, 81 late.
The 1925 hours MEL to HBA is rather optimistically expected to depart at 2030 hours, 65 minutes late, but this plane has been unable to achieve half hour turnarounds or anything close to that this afternoon. QF then suggests it will arrive and finish up for the night in HBA at 2145 hours, again 65 minutes late.
Advice from those 'in the know' as to the root causes of these delays - technical problems, staff rostering, catering or other aircraft servicing delays, passengers being uncooperative and not turning up at the gate necessitating unloading of bags, holding patterns or departure delays awaiting ATC clearance are a few possibilities - would be terrific.
It is unimpressive that in the space of four hours this arvo, these flights 'lost' a further 25 minutes, making for an even longer travelling day for this evening's QF B717 passengers.