Passengers vent fury after Perth Airport flight cancellations leave them without refunds

A refuelling problem at Perth Airport which grounded home and worldwide flights on Saturday morning has been resolved, the airport says.

At least 70 home and worldwide flights had been affected, with planes unable to land on the airport or depart.

Passengers had been stranded at airports nationwide and at some worldwide locations, together with Doha ready to get to Perth.

Perth Airport stated an issue with load strain within the gas strains had prompted the difficulty, which had since been mounted.

Airport CEO Jason Waters stated the system had now been repaired and examined.

Mr Waters apologised to impacted travellers and stated the airport can be working with airways to renew regular operations as quickly as doable.

“The effects will be felt throughout today but we’d like to think that within a short period of time after that we’ll get back to normal flights,” he stated.

“I’d like to think that by this evening and into tomorrow we’ll have it dealt with but given we’re talking about long haul flights and the extent of the backlog, it might take some time.”

It’s understood some flights had been delayed since Friday night time, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The airport referred to as in exterior consultants, together with engineers and technicians, to establish and restore the issue.

“As of just recently, I can inform you that we are back to normal refuelling and obviously very keen to see a return to normal operation,” Mr Waters stated.

“This has had a significant impact on flights overnight. 

“From Perth airport’s perspective we’re very apologetic and sympathetic to impacted travellers.

“We’re going to work very hard with our airlines here to ensure we get things back to normal as quickly as possible.”

Mr Waters stated the issue seemed to be the results of “air sucked into the distribution system”.

No compensation for passengers, says Virgin

Virgin Airlines apologised to prospects in an announcement handed to passengers at Perth Airport, however stated it was not required by legislation to offer compensation “for delays or cancellations outside of our control”.

“We recommend you contact your travel insurance provider to assist you with any unforeseen expenses,” the assertion stated.

Perth man Darshan Patel, who had had been planning to go to Hobart at present for his spouse’s birthday till their flight was cancelled, stated the airline’s response was not ok.

He desires compensation for his flights and different non-refundable bookings, reminiscent of lodging.

“We’re really not happy because we’ve been planning for this holiday for quite a long time,” Mr Patel stated.

“Somebody is responsible for what is happening and there should be something done to help the passengers.

“We’ve booked all the pieces effectively forward, now it is getting cancelled. All our bookings are non-refundable. 

“It’s just passengers who are suffering.”

Flights diverted to regional airports

At least 4 flights had been diverted to regional airports together with a Philippines Airlines flight from Manila to Perth that landed in Geraldton earlier on Saturday.

Geraldton is about 420 kilometres north of Perth.

A Geraldton Airport spokesperson stated the small regional airport might solely help with a handful of flights as a consequence of having restricted gas provide themselves. 

Passengers on the Philippines flight weren’t allowed to disembark and a biosecurity consultant was on website. 

City of Geraldton chief govt Ross McKim stated Geraldton Airport was at risk of operating out of gas after the Philippines flight took 1 / 4 of the airport’s gas capability.

“The [airport’s] refuelling isn’t booked until mid-next week so we’re going to have to work out how to get some up sooner than that,” he stated.

Qantas flight QFA10 from London to Perth was diverted to Karratha, within the state’s far north.

Other flights had been diverted to Kalgoorlie, about 600km east of Perth.

Passenger sat on aircraft for hours

Perth man Campbell Grieves and Swiss trade scholar Zander Goosen arrived on the airport early to catch a flight to Sydney.

“We were taking (Zander) to see all the classic Aussie things in Sydney … the bridge, the Opera House,” Mr Grieves stated.

“We get here at about 6am and we get on the plane, boarded alright, then we sat there in the little economy seat for two hours.

“The captain was ringing each in hour saying ‘dunno the place the gas is,’ finally we get kicked off the aircraft and the flight is cancelled.” 

Mr Grieves stated he had been informed the earliest he and Mr Goosen might journey to Sydney was Monday.

Perth resident Stephen Herbert is stranded in Doha, where he was meant to stop briefly en route from London to Perth on Qatar Airlines.

“We have been in a line with different returning Aussies for almost 4 hours,” he stated.

“No official from Qatar Airlines has given us any updates and we’re counting on social media.

“[There are] lots of tired and disgruntled people wanting answers.”

He was scathing of Perth Airport over the delays.

“There’s no way you can call Perth an international airport after this debacle. Imagine if this happened at Heathrow?” he stated.

Another passenger in Doha, Rae de Wet, informed the ABC a delay of greater than 24 hours was anticipated earlier than they may get again to Perth, however little data had been supplied.

She stated she had already been in transit for greater than 30 hours since leaving South Africa.

“It is incomprehensible that an international airport could face an issue of this nature, embarrassing really especially on an international scale,” she stated.

At Sydney Airport, Perth man Steven Dipane stated his son had been at a baseball match in Lismore and he was attempting to move house.

“They’re going to book us in to a room for the night, and then get us on a plane to Melbourne tomorrow and then to Perth.

“It simply delays it. I’d have appreciated to be house tonight.” 

Dieter Spurgeon’s family is currently in Darwin after their flight home from a family holiday to Perth was delayed over 36 hours.

“We’ve contacted each Qantas and Perth airport and neither appear prepared to reimburse us for an additional night time’s keep in Darwin,” he said.

He said communication by both the airport and airline has been “horrendous”.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the flight cancellations, please contact us by filling in the form below.

Loading…