Brisbane Airport is Australia’s third busiest.
This morning the live international departure information for Brisbane Airport already showed more than 25 cancelled flights for today. More than 20 flights which had been due to depart for domestic destinations out of Brisbane before 10am this morning had also been cancelled.
Qantas issued a statement saying it was pausing flights out of Brisbane from “mid-afternoon”.
“While the cyclone is likely to make landfall from Friday, there will be cancellations today in Brisbane as we work to get people in and out of Brisbane safely whilst also making sure we are best prepared prior to the cyclone making landfall,” said a Qantas spokesperson in a statement issued this morning and updated during the afternoon.
“This includes making sure our people and aircraft are safe.
“The safety of our customers and people remains our main priority.”
Qantas says flights to and from Brisbane will remain suspended until at least midday on Saturday for international routes and at least Sunday morning for domestic services.
According to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), the estimated time that Tropical Cyclone Alfred will make landfall has been pushed back, with the cyclone now expected to reach the coast later, likely early on Saturday morning. It was originally expected to make landfall overnight tonight.
Brisbane Airport says the airport will remain open “while passengers and essential airport workers need shelter, for emergency and aeromedical services, for defence operations and while it is safe to do so”.
Gold Coast Airport shut yesterday, while Ballina Airport cancelled all flights on Thursday and Friday and now says most flights to and from the airport will be cancelled until the end of Sunday. However, Sunshine Coast Airport continues to run as normal for now.
The BoM has also adjusted estimates of where it believes Tropical Cyclone Alfred will make landfall, expanding the possible area to the north, with the cyclone now likely to cross the coast anywhere between Noosa and Coolangatta.
