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Christmas travel plans have been thrown into chaos as a developing flood emergency has closed Cairns Airport indefinitely.
The last flight arrivals took place at 12.45pm Sunday and while departures were abandoned at 2pm due to rising floodwaters, as the aftermath of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper continues to batter far north Queensland.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said: “If things play out well, we could be open again if it’s safe to do so tomorrow (Monday), otherwise it could be a couple of days.”
A statement on the Cairns Airport website reads: “Operations will not recommence at Cairns Airport tonight.”
“At first light tomorrow morning, our teams will inspect the runway and assess its serviceability.”
“This assessment will determine when or if operations may recommence on Monday.”
“However, we can confirm that flights will not be operating in the morning.”
“We will provide an update on the outlook for Monday afternoon at approximately 8am tomorrow.”
“We will continue to liaise closely with our airline partners, authorities and other key stakeholders this evening and throughout tomorrow.”
“A number of flights scheduled for Monday have been cancelled or delayed.”
“Please contact your airline directly for information about specific flights.”
“This is an unprecedented flooding event at Cairns Airport, related to major and rapid flooding at the nearby Barron River, which led to a spillover at our levy wall.”
“This has never happened before.”
One of the last planes to land in Cairns before floodwaters closed the airport was a Jetstar flight that left Perth at 11.40pm (WA time) Saturday night.
The flight would usually arrive in Cairns at 6am but the flight time was extended by over four hours, The Townsville Bulletin reported, after two aborted attempts at landing in Cairns led to it being diverted to Townsville.
Passenger Evelyn Love told the newspaper that after waiting on the tarmac in Townsville for two hours, the plane again flew to Cairns and successfully landed at 10.15am.
Ms Love slammed Jetstar for failing to accommodate passengers who remained on-board during the lengthy stopover.
“Jetstar didn’t offer anyone water or anything. Everyone was so cranky and tired,” she said.
Ms Love added that passengers who hadn’t boarded with their own food had nothing to eat.
“There were several kids on the flight who were upset,” she said.
“And I’m a diabetic so I was shaking. But they said if we left the plane in Townsville we wouldn’t be let back on.”
In a statement, Jetstar said flight JQ979 was diverted to Townsville due to thunderstorm and heavy rain, it was then refuelled in Townsville before continuing to Cairns.
The airport’s indefinite closure – just a week from Christmas – has disrupted the travel plans of thousands of Australians.
Photos show aircraft and cars being submerged at the airport, which is the major gateway to far north Queensland.
The Bureau of Meteorology has reported that the flood level of the Barron River at Cairns Airport has now exceeded the March 1977 peak flood level, which was 3.8m, making this the most significant rain event the region has seen in over 40 years.
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