Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

On Wednesday 6 September, VA845 and VA863, respectively the 1300 and 1630 hours from MEL up to SYD have both been cancelled.

In the other direction, VA850 (1500 mid afternoon SYD - MEL) is also not operating today. Nor is VA878, the 1830 hours ex SYD.

QF has also cancelled a couple of return MEL - SYD (and MEL - CBR) flights. One wonders if these cancellations reflect low bookings midweek. Wednesday would normally be the second or third weekly day of least demand after Saturday and Tuesday.

 

[Jurahn]

Delay for VA693 MEL-PER last night 5th September. Due to board at 1745, we were advised there would be a 15-minute delay as our pilot was inbound on another flight. Shortly afterwards, we were told boarding at 1830, with a revised departure time of 1915. No further updates/information given and boarding didn't commence until 1915 - the pilot apologised for the delay and announced there had been a scheduling issue with crew and he had been "called in at the last minute" so I don't know whether maybe the delay was going to put the pilot originally scheduled for the flight over his hours for the day? Finally pushed back at about 1950, disembarking in Perth just after 2150 local time, 75 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Monday 11 September sees VA304, the very early morning 0555 hours from BNE down to MEL (B738 VH-VUL) not having taken off until 0643. The inevitable result will be arrival at 0913 hours, 53 minutes late.

VA812 (0730 hours SYD - MEL that was in the sky at 0803 with B738 VH-VOO) is not expected to arrive until 0941, 36 minutes late as there are delays into MEL due to adverse winds and a fair number of approaching aircraft.

The following VA816 (the 0800) took off at 0835; arrival of B738 VH-YFH should be 34 late at 1009 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on 11 September, VA738, the 1255 hours OOL - MEL (B738 VH-YFH) took off at a much delayed 1434 hours. Arrival should be at 1703, an hour and 48 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 12 September has seen VA233, the mid afternoon MEL across to ADL cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA827 (0900 hours MEL - SYD, B738 VH-BZG) on Wednesday 13 September was still queued for departure at 1046. It will be at least 70 minutes late arriving.

 

[Melburnian1]

There are strong winds in SYD on Thursday 14 September and consequent single runway only operations. VA849, the 1300 hours MEL - SYD is supposedly departing at about 1435 but many delays have been in excess of that.

VA869 (1715 hours MEL up to SYD) is cancelled as is VA879, the 1830. Southbound, VA830, the 1000 hours SYD - MEL got the bullet as did VA838, the 1200 'high noon' and as will VA854, the 1530 hours.

Further south, VA23 (B773ER VH-VPH, the 1130 hours MEL - LAX) took off at 1336 so same day arrival is forecast as 1009 hours, 69 late.

VA950 (1305 hours BNE - SYD, B738 VH-VUQ) was in the sky at 1336 (about 18 minutes late) but arrival is not expected until 1510, half an hour behind showing how even during the offpeak single runway ops can increase running times.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Thursday 14 and its strong SYD winds, VA965 (1700 hours SYD - BNE, A332 VH-XFH) was at least fifth in the queue for takeoff as at 1801, so goodness knows how late it will be arriving in the Sunshine State.

VA874 (B738 VH-VUX, the 1800 hours SYD down to MEL that took off at 1849) should arrive half an hour behind at 2000 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

AFF member moa999 kindly reports that Channel 7 news is suggesting that there will be more single runway operations in SYD on Friday 15 September with winds expected to increase from 0800 hours.

The 'Daily Telegraph' reports that these restrictions will be applied between 0800 and 1700 hours tomorrow:

No Cookies | Daily Telegraph

 

[Melburnian1]

Still on 14 September, the lengthy delays mean that VA897 (2115 hours MEL - SYD that took off punctually at 2130 hours, B738 VH-YVD) that as at 2243 was still in a holding pattern slightly to Goulburn NSW's west is likely to not touch down in SYD until at least 2326 hours, way beyond the normal curfew of 2300.

In these circumstances an exemption from the Minister for Transport's delegate is required.

VA997, 2100 hours SYD up to BNE (VH-YFU) took off at 2242; arrival is suggested at 0005 hours on Friday 15, 95 minutes tardy.

The 2005 hours BNE down to SYD that took off at 2132 with B738 VH-YFW is suggested as breaching the SYD curfew and arriving at 2318 tonight. It remained in a hold to Pokolbin's west as at 2251 hours.

VA898 (2200 hours SYD- MEL, B738 VH-YFZ) departed at about 2256 but had yet to take off by 2300 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Due to expected continuing high winds during many daylight hours of Friday 15 September, VA811 and VA815, respectively the 0700 and 0730 hours from MEL up to SYD have been cancelled.

There may be a 'cat and mouse' game going on in that further cancellations are probable but these will depend on whether unacceptably high winds continue.

As at 0800 AEST, the winds have decreased at Sydney Airport but were stronger at 0530 so might be highly variable.

VA1281 (0945 hours SYD - HTI, B738 VH-VUJ) did not become airborne until 1100 so arrival is anticipated to be 67 late at 1327 this afternoon.

Stablemate VH-VUW on VA515 (1010 SYD up to OOL) was in the sky at 1102; arrival should be at about 1227 hours, 57 minutes behind the timetable.

VA1555 (VH-VUO, the 1020 hours SYD up to leisure destination HVB) was still taxiing in SYD at 1123 so it will not be a punctual arrival.

VA931 (1000, revised to 1001 hours SYD - BNE, VH-VUA) was behind VA1555 so VA931 will be at least an hour late arriving in Brisbane.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Friday 15 September, VA938 (1005 hours BNE down to SYD, B738 VH-VON) took off at 1103 and is arriving at 1222 hours, 42 late.

VA1089, the 1015 hours LST up to SYD (B738 VH-YVC) that was airborne at 1103 hours is pulling in at 1223 this afternoon, 33 late.

The MQL - MEL VA1614 (B738 VH-VYD) should arrive at 1304 hours, 34 late.

VA841 (1200 'high noon' MEL - SYD, B738 VH-BZG) was in the sky at 1243. Consequently, arrival is delayed until a forecast 1355, half an hour tardy.

The mid afternoon VA853 (1500 hours from MEL up to SYD) has been cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 15 September, some late running is continuing with B738 VH-YFZ on VA850, the mid afternoon 1500 hours SYD down to MEL becoming airborne at 1541; arrival is expected at 1707 hours, 32 late.

VA277, the 1620 hours from MEL up to CBR was cancelled as was VA231, 1535 hours MEL across to ADL.

The 1700 and 1800 hours MEL to SYD, VA867 and VA875 were cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

With windy conditions in MEL on Monday 18 September and the usual 0800 hours peak period, many aircraft are or have been in a holding pattern. VA804 (A332 VH-XFC), the 0630 hours SYD down to MEL was airborne at 0700 (only about 15 late) but arrival is not suggested until 0850, 45 late.

VA304, the super early morning 0555 hours BNE - MEL (B738 VH-VUZ) took off at 0618 but should arrive at 0854, 34 late, although at 0816 it remained in a hold above Tocumwal NSW.

VA206 from ADL across to MEL is similar - as at -817, it was holding near Warracknabeal and hence likely to be delayed until 0902 in its at gate arrival, 37 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with the windy 18 September in Melbourne, VA318, the 0855 hours BNE - MEL was airborne at 0938 with B738 VH-VON. Arrival is suggested as 38 late at 1158.

The much-touted VA87 (1025 hours MEL up to HKG, A3332 VH-XFE) was in the sky at 1118. Arrival is estimated at 1853 early this evening local time, 48 minutes behind schedule.

VA730 (0850 OOL - MEL that was airborne at 0940 hours with B738 VH-VUU) should arrive at 1149, 34 late.

The 1000 hours MEL - SYD (VH-VOM, VA833) was pointing skywards at a very late 1121 so arrival looks like 1234, 69 minutes tardy.

VA830 (1000 hours opposite number to VA833) has VH-VUT and should pull in to its MEL gate at roughly 1215 hours, 40 minutes past the allotted.

 

[Melburnian1]

A burst aviation fuel pipeline that supplies AKL is badly affecting flights.

VA9551 (that normally carries a different flight number) should be the 0840 hours arrival from AKL into MEL. It arrived at just after 1115 as it diverted via WLG to take on fuel.

VA166 (0945 hours MEL - AKL) departed at about 1230 hours.

The 1225 hours lunchtime MCY - MEL VA1508 (B738 VH-YIG) did not take off until 1312. Arrival is forecast as 1529 this afternoon, 34 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

The lack of aviation fuel in AKL is causing problems:

https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/bookings/flight-status/travel-alerts/

Auckland Airport fuel crisis disrupts flights after jet fuel pipe line burst near Ruakaka

Refining NZ tells social media about leak days before stock exchange

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on 18 September, VA690 (A332 VH-XFG, the 1400 hours from PER across to MEL that was airborne at 1432) should arrive at 2004, 34 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Wednesday 20 September has VA95 from SYD to TBU expected to arrive at 0157, 37 late (On Thursday 21.) Aircraft is B738 VH-YIJ.

 

[Melburnian1]

With winds gusting to 56kmh at MEL this morning, Thursday 21 September has VA810 (0715 hours SYD - MEL that was in the sky at 0810 with VH-VBY (B737-700) arriving at a suggested 0930, 40 late.