QF cancellations... did the airport *really* take slots away?

[shuuy]

So sitting in the MEL lounge as QF cancelled the 4pm and 5pm SYD flights today (and found out this morning). No inbound flights cancelled on the monitor.

When pushed for a reason they suggested irops: high winds. Single runway operations. “Airport took slots proactively away from us; not our fault”

Should I believe them? I see arrivals landing on one runway, departures on another, and a METAR of winds 350 at 16kt (ie not that bad).

Know this is systematic in CBR often in morning with “fog”... but surprised to see it on a trunk route.

First world problems... I know

 

[mviy]

Bad weather can happen at any airport. It's unfortunate but it happens from time to time.

Some airports are more prone to experiencing weather issues that cause delays than others.

 

[Ewing]

SYD does have a limit on the number of movements per hour.

But they're not on single runway operations...

ATIS YSSY U 120600
APCH: EXP INDEPENDENT VISUAL APCH.
DO NOT PASS THRU, ASSIGNED RWY CL
RWY: 34L AND R FOR ARRS AND DEPS
OPR INFO: PARL RWY OPS IN PROGRESS.
INDEPENDENT DEPS IN PROGRESS
WIND: 010/10
+ VIS: GT 10KM

 

[shuuy]

Wonder if the algorithm told them to cancel vs human judgement.

Now delayed in SYD probably for real reasons

 

[BD1959]

MEL had some delays this morning due to high winds/single runway Ops. Our inbound was 35mins late arriving and the departure 45mins by wheels-up; flight crew had been held on the ground in SYD waiting for a slot.

I wonder if this is a knock-on from that?

Regards,

BD