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The weather system is expected to hit the coastline in Queensland and northern NSW late tomorrow or Saturday as a category 2 system, bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall.
Airlines have offered customers flexibility to reschedule flights which have been cancelled due to the cyclone.
What flights have Qantas and Jetstar cancelled?
Qantas and Jetstar have axed a number of domestic flights in and out of south-east Queensland and northern NSW.
Flights in and out of Gold Coast, Ballina and Coffs Harbour airports have been cancelled.
Lord Howe Island flights were suspended earlier this week as island communities brace for some of the worst of Alfred’s impact.
A Qantas spokesperson said the airline expects to suspend operations in Brisbane from mid-afternoon Thursday.
“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. This includes making sure our people and aircraft are safe,” the spokesperson said.
“We realise that this is a challenging time for many of our customers and are offering additional flexibility including travel credits and fee free date changes to those who have booked flights to or from the impacted areas.”
As of Thursday morning the following Qantas flights have been cancelled:
- Brisbane – Qantas flights will be suspended from mid-afternoon and Jetstar from midday local time until midday Friday (at least).
- Gold Coast – Qantas operations currently suspended until 1.00pm (AEST) Friday and Jetstar operations currently suspended until 3.00pm (AEST) Friday (at least).
- Coffs Harbour – Qantas operations currently suspended until midnight local time Thursday.
- Ballina – Qantas and Jetstar operations currently suspended until midnight local time Thursday.
Qantas flights to and from Sunshine Coast (MCY) and Hervey Bay (HBV) are currently continuing as scheduled.
Virgin Australia also axes flights
Virgin Australia will operating on a “limited schedule” to and from Brisbane today until 4pm, when they will be suspending operations.
The airline is in the process of reaching out to passengers impacted by cancelled flights, a spokesperson said.
As of Thursday morning, the following flights have been cancelled by Virgin Australia:
- Gold Coast – Flights suspended from this afternoon through to midday Friday.
- Brisbane – Virgin will operate a limited schedule to and from Brisbane until 4:00pm (AEST), before ceasing operations in preparation for the cyclone. The airline will monitor the evolving weather and update guests when it is safe to resume operations.
- Ballina, NSW – Flights to and from Ballina are suspended until Friday.
Monster 12-metre wave recorded as cyclone slowly approaches
Travellers with flights booked before March 4 for travel between March 4 and March 8 to or from Brisbane Airport can rebook or request a travel credit under the airline’s policy.
Passengers are able to rebook on the same route or region for free and travel must be completed by June 30.
No change fees or fare differences will apply.
Travellers who want to cancel their flights can request a travel credit which is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
No rebooking fees will apply when using the credit.
Fare differences will apply if the original fare is unavailable
Passengers will receive text and email notifications from REX with any schedule changes.
