Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[tomlee1986]

QF 29 on QPJ MEL to HKG, departed 1 hr late at 1147 instead of 1020, BUT the flight returned to Melbourne at 1227!!

Photos taken just now

@Melburnian1

 

[Melburnian1]

A333 VH-QPH arrived MEL on Sunday 10 August at 0715 hours, 10 minutes early as QF30 overnight from HKG, but is delayed until 1500 hours in pushback on QF35, the timetabled 1205 hours MEL-SIN.

B789 VH-ZNE should arrive on QF27 in SCL half an hour late at 1035 hours local time.

A388 VH-OQL on QF1 is likely to arrive LHR at 0711, 36 late. having picked up time from its two hour delayed departure from SYD on Saturday 10.

QF 29 on QPJ MEL to HKG, departed 1 hr late at 1147 instead of 1020, BUT the flight returned to Melbourne at 1227!!

Photos taken just now

@Melburnian1

Medical, or something requiring rectification on the plane?

By the way @tomlee1986 , it actually departed at 1135 hours. As previously mentioned, the FR24 time is always when it took off - 1147., so a prompt taxi.

 

[tomlee1986]

A333 VH-QPH arrived MEL on Sunday 10 August at 0715 hours, 10 minutes early as QF30 overnight from HKG, but is delayed until 1500 hours in pushback on QF35, the timetabled 1205 hours MEL-SIN.

B789 VH-ZNE should arrive on QF27 in SCL half an hour late at 1035 hours local time.

A388 VH-OQL on QF1 is likely to arrive LHR at 0711, 36 late. having picked up time from its two hour delayed departure from SYD on Saturday 10.

Let’s hope the main runway isn’t blocked too long with QF29 return

Medical, or something requiring rectification on the plane?

That we don’t know

 

[Melburnian1]

Let’s hope the main runway isn’t blocked too long with QF29 return.

Good pickup! AS at 1245 hours, assuming FR24 is accurate with placements, the north-south runway was still blocked.

QR989 is about to land ex ADL (b773ER A7-BAC) and like all other movements, it's using the east-west runway, arriving from the east.

If the blockage continues for more than a few minutes, it will result in delays through the afternoon, as Sunday arvos are typically busy with leisure travellers as well as businessmen flying to avoid the dreaded Monday morning 0330 hours rise.

 

[Comoman]

YMML Atis says Runway 1634 not available due to disabled aircraft.

 

[tomlee1986]

YMML Atis says Runway 1634 not available due to disabled aircraft.

Then expect a long afternoon at Melbourne airport... also as at 1305, QF29 is now out of the runway and going to gate

 

[tomlee1986]

According to QF website, the 29 to HKG is now CANCELLED! @Melburnian1

 

[Melburnian1]

According to QF website, the 29 to HKG is now CANCELLED! @Melburnian1

View attachment 463792

Thanks! That suggests there's something wrong with the A333, though thankfully, passengers and crew are safe.

While airlines can become creative (as can patrons!) with replacement flight routings, if CX104 and CX178 are full or close to it, some passengers may be facing at least a delay of 24 hours.

 

[tomlee1986]

Thanks! That suggests there's something wrong with the A333, though thankfully, passengers and crew are safe.

as said in many times in the past, yes the QF maintenance is good, but is it time to replace these A330 fleet ASAP? Even the QPJ which is the aircraft in question is already 19 years old!

 

[Melburnian1]

as said in many times in the past, yes the QF maintenance is good, but is it time to replace these A330 fleet ASAP? Even the QPJ which is the aircraft in question is already 19 years old!

I have no technical expertise but don't buy Alan Joyce's claim that it's normal for commercial planes to be in the air for 30 years. It has been true in some cases, but there are also airlines that replace fleets much earlier than that.

Reports of tape being used to fix toilet doors etc. don't paint a pleasant picture.

 

[tomlee1986]

I have no technical expertise but don't buy Alan Joyce's claim that it's normal for commercial planes to be in the air for 30 years. It has been true in some cases, but there are also airlines that replace fleets much earlier than that.

I agree with this assessment, the QF A330 fleet has been extensively used - some may suggest to the point of abuse (not enough aircraft, too many flights) - hence the aircraft is aging too quickly and might need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

 

[RSD]

I have no technical expertise but don't buy Alan Joyce's claim that it's normal for commercial planes to be in the air for 30 years. It has been true in some cases, but there are also airlines that replace fleets much earlier than that.

Yes - but what AJ didn't clarify is that the first 15-20 years is spent with a major airline, the final 10-15 years is with an airline in west Africa or maybe with Mahan Air in Iran etc.

I agree with this assessment, the QF A330 fleet has been extensively used - some may suggest to the point of abuse (not enough aircraft, too many flights) - hence the aircraft is aging too quickly and might need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

I vaguely read somewhere that the plan for the QF A330's was a cabin refresh or something like that?

 

[tomlee1986]

Yes - but what AJ didn't clarify is that the first 15-20 years is spent with a major airline, the final 10-15 years is with an airline in west Africa or maybe with Mahan Air in Iran etc.

I vaguely read somewhere that the plan for the QF A330's was a cabin refresh or something like that?

Cabin did refresh yes, but the usage of these aircraft are extensive tbh

 

[RSD]

Whatever the problem was with QF29 - it certainly made itself known very quickly -

 

[tomlee1986]

Whatever the problem was with QF29 - it certainly made itself known very quickly - View attachment 463794

I am glad the flight came back safely and quickly - instead of staying in the air for hours before returning

 

[RSD]

I am glad the flight came back safely and quickly - instead of staying in the air for hours before returning

Indeed - no gain for spending hours on a flight that has to return.

 

[Warragul]

Whatever the problem was with QF29 - it certainly made itself known very quickly - View attachment 463794

Good to see an accurate picture.

 

[tomlee1986]

Good to see an accurate picture.

Glad to help you on that

 

[Flyfrequently]

Now cancelled
due to ? Hydraulic/tech issue @RSD

 

[tomlee1986]

Now cancelled
due to ? Hydraulic/tech issue @RSD

It’s definitely technical if cancelled but let’s see when this aircraft is back to service… and as I said - these planes have been run to the ground (figuratively speaking)