Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Must...Fly!]

Me again...

Huge lightning bolts seen bright and clear from the lounge. Not a soul to be seen on the apron (as should be)

 

[Melburnian1]

Me again...

Must...Fly! , very welcome.

Nothing beats a man on the spot. If not for your reports, many AFFers elsewhere in Oz would not be kept up to date. These delays will inevitably affect passengers at all Australia's major, and many minor, airports.

Unfortunately afternoon storms tend to result in staff, and sometimes aircraft, being where they shouldn't be at the end of the night (or in staff's case, due to fatigue regulations, maybe unable to work next day as rostered). So tomorrow one could expect that many passengers will be delayed.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA870 (1730 hours SYD down to MEL) took off at 1931 with suggested arrival at 2037 hours, 92 late for B738 VH-BZG.

VA966 (VH-VUW, the 1635 hours BNE down to SYD that took off at 1709, about 20 late) is arriving at 2023, 73 late.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Lightning seems to have passed. I'm glad to at least be in the lounge and not on a stationary aircraft twiddling thumbs...

Lots of committed (VA speak for confirmed delayed departure) delays now. VA565 which was called for boarding has not yet departed and has 20:45 listed on the departure boards - VA569 21:00 from it's original 19:00 slot.

A lot of other alterations and changes to other VA domestic flights, but nothing has been called for boarding for at least 30 minutes. Hopefully it starts again soon otherwise I may have to start mentally preparing myself to sleep in the airport!

EDIT: Beacons on, but trucks and cars emerging one by one from within the bowels of the terminals. Appears things are about to start up again.

 

[Melburnian1]

As at 2033 hours on 20 December, there were at least 12 aircraft in a holding pattern near Goulburn, NSW (arrivals from the south and west) and about six west of Pokolbin (the OOL, BNE and elsewhere to SYD from the north) plus many other aircraft trying to arrive in SYD.

It's surprising that more have not diverted to MEL, BNE or other alternates. As others have previously explained, facilities at other airports are among the many considerations.

 

[Must...Fly!]

VA569 looking like a very poor chance of getting out tonight. Engineers called on top of all the other issues. One must consider the curfew as well (and even crew hours perhaps...not sure)

 

[Melburnian1]

VA569 looking like a very poor chance of getting out tonight. Engineers called on top of all the other issues. One must consider the curfew as well (and even crew hours perhaps...not sure)

Generally, weather alone is insufficient for the Ministerial delegate to grant a curfew dispensation BUT under the Federal Coalition Government, dispensations appear to be handed out more freely than has been the case in some previous years. Supposedly, three criteria must be satisfied, and it is mandatory for movements to occur to and from the south so as to minimise late night noise to Sydney residents.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA539 (20 December, the 1810 hours SYD - OOL with B738 VH-YID) had not departed by 2235 hours, so there must be a question mark as to whether it does tonight. VA985 (1930 hours SYD - BNE), VH-VUS, is similar.

 

[Melburnian1]

With the storms in SYD and the airport having been closed (at least for a while), VA162 from ZQN to SYD looks to be diverting to MEL. This 1620 hours departure has B738 VH-YIW and took off at 1632, on time. MEL arrival should be at about 1918, 158 minutes after passengers were meant to be about to alight in Sydney...

VA162 managed to arrive in SYD, ex MEL, at 2240 hours.

The 1745 hours late afternoon SYD across to PER transcon, VA565, took off at 2225 hours with VH-YFV. Arrival is estimated on Friday 21 at 0018 hours, 268 late and meaning for anyone from the east coast what feels like an 0430 or so collapsing into a booked hotel (or family/friend's) bed.

 

[Melburnian1]

With the storms in SYD...The 1635 hours HBA up to SYD, VA1535 (VH-YWA, B738) took off only about 10 minutes late at 1658 this afternoon but north of Goulburn, it has then turned back and looks to be diverting to MEL. This flight was due in SYD at 1825 so if it reaches SYD tonight will be hours late...

This aircraft remains in MEL, so one hopes passengers don't have to "sleep" in MEL airport tonight.

VA146 and VA180, both VAi flights remain in BNE tonight instead of where they ought be: SYD. Happy sleeps there too.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA981 (the 1900 hours Thursday 20 November SYD up to BNE, B738 VH-YVA) took off at 2333 with arrival suggested as 2347 hours, 257 minutes late. It must have a dispensation and is at least the fourth aircraft to 'breach curfew' on what has been a stormy arvo and early evening.

VA697, the MEL - PER that should depart at 2110 hours was airborne at 2355. Expectd arrival is 0032 on Friday 21, 127 minutes behind the schedule.

The MEL - HBA VA1336 should arrive at 0050, 55 minutes tardy with VH-YFG. Northbound VA1337 is worse with a predicted 0019 hours arrival, 89 late for VH-BZG.

 

[Must...Fly!]

VA569 looking like a very poor chance of getting out tonight. Engineers called on top of all the other issues. One must consider the curfew as well (and even crew hours perhaps...not sure)

Delayed til 1140 tomorrow.

The lounge was utterly disgraceful. No information, no announcements, nothing. I decided to chance the baggage hall and there were bags from the delayed flight already going round the carousel. Meanwhile the lounge was busy making announcements for people to leave the lounge and come back tomorrow!!

Thought stuff them and I'm glad I did. Sitting in a nice hotel room in the city with my luggage instead of the hard airport floor. I look forward to sending in the reimbursement claim for this one to VA

And just to add insult to injury the wait times on the phone (which was the instruction in the lounge - call the contact centre!!!) are insane. The re-timed departure doesn't work but everything out of Sydney is fully booked. Nothing to be done, going to set an early alarm and try get someone in the premium call centre to actually help. The only helpful person in the place tonight was the agent I spoke to on the phone while standing in the ridiculous queue to the service desk manned by only two staff!!! Meanwhile the entrance was manned with two staff who told many to go stand in the other queue!!!

Really don't like to play the DYKWIA in any way but tonight was an absolute disgrace and Virgin Australia should be completely ashamed of themselves and the way so-labelled "premium" passengers were handled in the lounge.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA813, the Friday 21 December 0715 hours MEL - SYD was cancelled.

The 0930 hours MEL - AKL, VA167, is expected to depart 70 minutes late. VA327 (1200 'high noon' MEL - BNE should push back 40 late.

B738 VH-YIF on VA812 (0730 hours SYD down to MEL) took off at 0830 with arrival suggested as 0950, 45 late.

 

[Must...Fly!]

And to hopefully close the loop for me, platinum line was able to open a seat on a flight late tonight that was 0 in all fare buckets (long wait on the phone though) and offered me several options which no one else at the airport did.

Very much appreciated, let's just hope this one gets off as scheduled....ahh the fun of traveling....look forward to giving some positive feedback to two VA staff who were sympathetic and helpful. The rest may as well be replaced by cardboard....sorry but when delays hit it's the recovery that counts. And it was completely and utterly absent last night.

I understand more than most, it wasn't that long ago I was wearing the VA uniform but I would have done a lot of things differently last night if I was running the show. Anyway, what's life without a little chaos.

At least the TAF looks much kinder for this afternoon compared to yesterday!

TAF AMD YSSY 202116Z 2022/2124
17015KT 9999 SCT025
FM210000 16015KT 9999 -SHRA SCT030
FM210900 13010KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025 BKN035
FM211900 18020G30KT 9999 -SHRA SCT025
RMK
T 22 23 23 22 Q 1008 1007 1006 1006

 

[Melburnian1]

...

At least the TAF looks much kinder for this afternoon compared to yesterday!

TAF AMD YSSY 202116Z 2022/212
...

Not trying to dampen your party, but MEL may have moderate or greater rain this arvo and evening. Not to Sydney's extent yesterday, but may still be 'fun.'

As Quickstatus would say, no wonder the XPT trains MEL - SYD v.v. are so busy.

 

[Silvia]

Continuing today, VA2 LAX-SYD arrived at 10 45, 110 min behind schedule (VH-VPH). This has pushed back VA1 SYD-LAX departure time to 12 35.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Friday 21 December, VA318 (B738 VH-VOM, the 0855 hours BNE to MEL took off at 1017 with arrival expected at 1321, 66 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

From the BOM map on Friday 21 December 2018 as at 1500 hours, looks like another thunderstorm is about to hit Sydney from the west, although it may be much shorter in duration than yesterday's.

There are also some storms in the Melbourne area, though not completely enveloping MEL as was so yesterday around SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more on Friday 21 December, VA850 (B738 VH-VUE), the 1500 hours SYD down to MEL took off at 1618, so arrival is forecast as 1740, 65 late. VA854, the 1530 hours is just ahead, with VH-VUZ airborne at 1614, meaning MEL arrival at 1737 hours, 32 late.

 

[Silvia]

Also today, VA228 ADL-MEL 15 05 service was cancelled.

VA742 OOL-MEL (VH-YFK) is expected to arrive at 18 34, 74 late.

VA686 PER-MEL (A332 VH-XFH) is delayed to 19 50; however, from FR24 it seems that it’s only taxing from PER, so delay may be lengthier. This will also delay VA697 MEL-PER.

VA749 MEL-OOL (VH-YIF) has a revised arrival of 17 03, 38 behind schedule. This will slightly delay departure of VA748 which is now scheduled for 17 44.

VH-YPF has been late all day. Currently operating VA231 MEL-ADL with a suggested arrival of 17 11, 41 behind. The following segment, VA236 ADL-MEL has a revised departure of 17 58.