Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 9 July, there's fog in Melbourne, though I'm unsure if it's to be blamed for late running as many flights seem at or close to time.

However VA811, the 0700 hours MEL-SYD (B738 VH-YFJ) did not take off until 0910 with SYD gate arrival forecast as 1025 hours, two hours late.

VA815 on the same route (the 0730 hours) was airborne at 0917 with arrival suggested as 1032, 97 behind for VH-YIS.

VA823 is the 0830 hours northbound (aircraft VH-VBY, a B737) that was in the sky from MEL at 0935, so its arrival at gate becomes a likely 1045, 50 minutes tardy.

VA819, the 0800 hours ex MEL is behind VA823, with the 819 taking off at 0941, meaning forecast gate arrival of 1049 hours, 84 minutes late. B738 VH-YIH has the task.

While it depends on how tight each daily schedule is - sometimes there can be a substantial allowed break during the middle of the day when demand is lower - most of these aircraft will find it difficult or impossible to make up much time by today's conclusion.

 

[Harrison_133]

On Thursday 9 July, there's fog in Melbourne, though I'm unsure if it's to be blamed for late running as many flights seem at or close to time.

Ground delay programs are in place for both Melbourne and Sydney this morning due to weather.

Sydney is also operating at a reduced flow rate due to the new Sydney area flight paths taking effect today.

 

[Melburnian1]

Ground delay programs are in place for both Melbourne and Sydney this morning due to weather.

Sydney is also operating at a reduced flow rate due to the new Sydney area flight paths taking effect today.

Unlikely that either fully explains one hour to 90 minute delays.

QFd's SYD-bound flights have some that are late, but typically only 20-30 minutes.

 

[Harrison_133]

Unlikely that either fully explains one hour to 90 minute delays.

QFd's SYD-bound flights have some that are late, but typically only 20-30 minutes.

All of the flights you listed above have a DL83 delay code (ATC restriction at destination airport) attached to them, so yes it does explain it.

 

[Melburnian1]

Much holding prior to arrival in Sydney during the evening of Friday 10 July 2026. Weather conditions look benign, so perhaps ATC again has a shortage of controllers due to some having taken sick leave during school holidays, as previously highlighted this week in 'The Australian'.

VA869 (B738 VH-8IL) is the 1715 hours MEL-SYD airborne at 1744, about 15 minutes late. However after holding above Gunning, NSW and then a second hold closer to Sydney, it isn't expected to arrive at gate until 1927 hours, 47 minutes late. A substantial time penalty.

VA429 is the 1630 hours ADL-SYD in the sky at 1706, about 20 late. It has VH-YQG and at 1911 hours remained in its second holding pattern with gate arrival forecast as 1936 hours, 41 minutes late.

VH-YFJ is operating the southbound VA496 from MCY down to SYD. This scheduled 1700 hours flight took off at 1727, so about 12 minutes late at that stage, but arrival at gate won't be until about 1924 hours, 44 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

SYD is down to using a single runway, the east-west, as at 1215 hours on Sunday 12 July.

Sunday mornings are relatively quiet for domestic flights but one ought expect some delays as afternoon domestic flights ramp up, depending on how long the single runway is in use.

 

[Melburnian1]

There has been fog affecting BNE on Thursday 23 July 2026 so many flights have been badly delayed.

VA308, the 0655 hours morning BNE-MEL (B738 VH-VOL) wasn't in the sky until 0841 hours, so gate arrival becomes 1054 hours, 94 minute slate.

On the same route, VA314 is the 0755 hours airborne at 0909 hours with VH-YFE. Gate arrival is predicted for 1119 hours, 59 late.

VA824, the scheduled 0805 hours BNE down to SYD took off at 0920 with VH-YFX suggested as arriving at gate at about 1039 hours, also 59 late.

VA318, the 0855 hours BNE down to MEL has VH-8VG with the aircraft not having pushed back by 1010 hours.

Given Brisbane is the third busiest domestic (and international) airport in Australia, these delays will cascade through the day although some aircraft typically have a break, or longer turnaround times during the lower demand middle of most weekdays so that may somewhat assist with schedule recovery.