Cyclone Alfred LIVE updates: BoM warn storm could become category 3 as south-east Queensland, northern NSW residents continue to brace for direct hit
All Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from northern NSW have been cancelled ahead of worsening weather brought by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, while services to and from the Gold Coast will be suspended on Thursday afternoon.
Both airlines have suspended flights to Ballina in NSW’s Northern Rivers region until at least midnight Thursday and will suspend flights to and from Coffs Harbour from midnight Wednesday until at least midday Thursday.
All Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from Ballina in northern NSW have been cancelled.Credit: Louise Kennerley, file photo
All flights to and from Lord Howe Island have been cancelled indefinitely from Wednesday.
Flights to and from the Gold Coast will be suspended from 4pm Wednesday until 4pm Thursday.
Flights to and from Brisbane, where Alfred is expected to make landfall about 2am on Friday, and the Sunshine Coast will continue as scheduled.
A Qantas Group spokesperson said the “situation remains fluid and flight cancellations and delays will evolve over the coming days”.
“Our teams continue to closely monitor the cyclone, and we are contacting customers directly with any changes to their flights,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re also working alongside the multiple airport authorities, air traffic control and airport services providers to ensure any impact to schedules is clearly communicated to customers and our people. The safety of our customers and people is our main priority.”
A Virgin flight scheduled to depart Sydney Airport for Ballina at 10.50am on Wednesday was also cancelled.
A Virgin Australia spokesperson said customers travelling to and from northern NSW should monitor flight information on the airline’s website.
Sydney Airport is “monitoring the situation closely and are supporting airlines with their contingency planning,” a spokesperson said.
Airservices Australia said it had put “staff contingency plans and emergency operational assets in place, including backup power supplies, to help us provide necessary support to Australia’s aviation sector throughout the coming days”.
“Decisions on whether to cancel flights are a matter for airlines, and passengers with travel plans over coming days are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline,” it said.
