Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Airline schedules ramping up, prepare for your journey

Monday, 10 March 2025 

Confirming your travel
Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina Airports remain open today, and while there are still some flight disruptions, these are decreasing and schedules are building today. Please remember to check travel schedules directly with your carrier before making your way to the airport.
 
  • Qantas is keeping customers updated here.
  • Jetstar is providing updates here.
  • Virgin Australia’s updates are available here.
  • Regional Express updates can be found here.
 
Getting to the airport
Many areas in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales are experiencing flooding and decreased, or cancelled, public transport schedules. This will impact the ability of many passengers to get safely to the airport. We’re advising customers to please pre-plan your journey to the airport, and ensure you’re fully informed on the impacts that flood waters may have on your journey.
 
 
Rebooking your travel
Airline flexibility to rebook or request a flight credit still applies, and if you’re experiencing impacts of the weather and wish to rebook, we encourage you to make use of self-serving through your online booking tool as a first port of call. Your travel manager is on hand to support if required, but we appreciate your patience as our team works around the clock to support a high volume of customers.
Please only travel if it is safe for you to do so.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: SEQ flights update and the limited return of public transport

Sunday, 9 March 2025 

Qantas and Jetstar have resumed operations today (Sunday 9 March) to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina and schedules have progressively built throughout the day.
 
As a result of flooding at Hervey Bay airport, Qantas and Jetstar suspended operations for the remainder of today (Sunday 9 March) with further weather and safety assessments to take place tomorrow (Monday 10 March).
 
Qantas has repositioned aircraft into impacted ports and is operating a supplementary A330 between Sydney and Brisbane.
 
Virgin Australia also confirmed the resumption of operations today (Sunday 9 March):
 
  • Brisbane, QLD (BNE) – Flights resumed from 10:00am AEST Sunday (9 March). Operations have restarted at both the domestic and international airports.
  • Gold Coast, QLD (OOL) – Flights resumed from 12:20pm AEST Sunday (9 March) – international and domestic.
  • Sunshine Coast, QLD (MCY) – Flights resumed from 8:45am AEST Sunday (9 March).
  • Ballina, NSW (BNK) – Flight resumed from 12:35pm AEDT Sunday (9 March).
 
Please note that at the time of sending, the system is still causing inclement weather across Southeast Queensland, so we advise checking your flight status with your airline as usual.
 
Translink/Queensland Rail has also announced the limited return of public transport, including some trains, starting from Monday 9 March:
 
  • Sunshine Coast line open Central to Northgate
  • Ferny Grove line open Central to Ferny Grove
  • Airport line open Central to Airport
  • Beenleigh line open Central to Kuraby
  • Springfield line open Central to Springfield Central
  • Ipswich line open Central to Bundamba  
  • Rosewood line open Ipswich to Rosewood.
 
Due to significant damage and power outages, the remainder of the network will remain closed to allow crews to continue major repair works. Full details of buses and trams can be found here.
 
Because of power outages and network challenges, we highly recommend self-serving through your online booking tool as a first port of call, given this is an extremely busy time for our dedicated out of hours team.
 
Where this is not appropriate, our expert 24/7 (out of hours) assistance team are more than happy to assist you. If you are calling outside of business hours and require immediate assistance, please call 1300 195 141 or +61 2 9308 0110, or send an email to afterhours@stageandscreen.com.au. We would like to let you know that, given the nature of the circumstances, your wait time may be longer than usual.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Departing and arriving flights to resume at all SEQ airports

Saturday, 8 March 2025 

We have been advised that flights will resume for departing and arriving – domestic and international – at all Southeast Queensland Airports on Sunday 9 March 2025.
 
Qantas and Jetstar are working to progressively restart domestic and international flights from 6am Sunday 9 March at Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina and Maroochydore, subject to weather conditions and safety assessments – they are expected to rebuild their schedules throughout the day.
 
Virgin Australia has announced the following:
 
  • Brisbane, QLD (BNE) – Flights expected to resume from approximately 9:30am, Sunday (9 March). Operations are planned to restart at Domestic and International airports.
  • Gold Coast, QLD (OOL) – Flights expected to resume from approximately 12:00pm, Sunday (9 March).
  • Sunshine Coast, QLD (MCY) – Flights expected to resume approximately 08:45am, Sunday (9 March).
  • Ballina, NSW (BNK) – Flights expected to resume from approximately 12:00pm, Sunday (9 March).
 
Please note that at the time of sending, the system is still causing inclement weather across Southeast Queensland, so we advise checking your flight status with your airline as usual.
 
Because of power outages and network challenges, we highly recommend self-serving through your online booking tool as a first port of call, given this is an extremely busy time for our dedicated out of hours team.
 
Where this is not appropriate, our expert 24/7 (out of hours) assistance team are more than happy to assist you. If you are calling outside of business hours and require immediate assistance, please call 1300 195 141 or +61 2 9308 0110, or send an email to afterhours@stageandscreen.com.au. We would like to let you know that, given the nature of the circumstances, your wait time may be longer than usual.

Cyclone Alfred: Brisbane Airport flights suspended until further notice

Friday, 7 March 2025 

All domestic and international departures and arrivals in and out of Brisbane Airport have been suspended until further notice – the airport will re-open when the terminals and runways are deemed safe to do so.
 
Terminals will remain open while safe for aero-medical and defence force flights, but passengers are being urged, for your safety, not to go to the airport unless your airline advises you to do so.
 
As we shared previously, Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Airport remain closed. Carriers are also seeing impacts to travel in and out of Lord Howe Island and Coffs Harbour – Sunshine Coast Airport is operating as normal for all passengers.
 
Please remember, the situation is changing and evolving very quickly. For the latest information, please find updates from major carriers below.
 
  • Qantas is keeping customers updated here.
  • Jetstar is providing updates here.
  • Virgin Australia’s updates are available here.
  • Regional Express updates can be found here.
 
This is a very busy time for our team, and as we move into the weekend, we will be moving into our dedicated out of hours support team for assistance and as a first port of call, we recommend that you self-service and make changes/amends as usual via your online booking tool where applicable.
 
Where this is not appropriate, our expert 24/7 (out of hours) assistance team are more than happy to assist you. If you are calling outside of business hours and require immediate assistance, please call 1300 195 141 or +61 2 9308 0110, or send an email to afterhours@stageandscreen.com.au. We would like to let you know that, given the nature of the circumstances, your wait time may be longer than usual.

Cyclone Alfred: Flights & airports impacted

Thursday, 6 March 2025 

We wanted to provide you with another update on travel impacts as Cyclone Alfred approaches.

All domestic and international departures and arrivals in and out of Brisbane Airport have been cancelled from 4PM AEST today, Thursday 6 March.

Terminals will remain open while safe to do so for aero-medical and defence force flights but passengers are being urged, for your safety, not to go to the airport from 4PM today.

In the lead up to 4PM today, many flights in and out of Brisbane have been cancelled, so we are urging customers to check your carrier’s website to confirm your flight status before making your way to the airport.

As we shared yesterday, Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Airport are closed. Carriers are also seeing impacts to travel in and out of Lord Howe Island and Coffs Harbour.

Please remember, the situation is changing and evolving very quickly. For the latest information, please find updates from major carriers below.

  • Qantas is keeping customers updated here.
  • Jetstar is providing updates here.
  • Virgin Australia’s updates are available here.
  • Regional Express updates can be found here.

As a reminder, this is a very busy time for our team, who are working around the clock to support you through rebooking and managing flight credits. Please reach out to your travel manager if we can support you, and we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.

Cyclone Alfred: Brisbane Airport flights cancelled

Wednesday, 5 March 2025 

As a result of the incoming Cyclone Alfred, airlines have begun cancelling services and airports have started closing, so we wanted to provide you with an update of where the situation stands, as of the afternoon on Wednesday 5 March.
 
Please remember the situation is very fluid, and for the latest updates we encourage you to refer to your carrier’s website directly. You can find the latest updates to route cancellations here:
 
  • Qantas is keeping customers updated here.
  • Jetstar is providing updates here.
  • Virgin Australia’s updates are available here.
  • Regional Express updates can be found here.
 
Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Airport are now closed. Carriers are also seeing impacts to travel in and out of Lord Howe Island and Coffs Harbour.
 
Brisbane Airport and Sunshine Coast Airport remain open at present, but please refer to the latest information on their websites before making your way there.
 
Stage and Screen has detailed business continuity plans in place and, will remain operational to support you in the instance of local power and internet outages.
 
Please contact your travel manager as soon as possible if you have been impacted and require support. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this busy time.

Cyclone Alfred: Public transport impacts and airline policy updates

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

We wanted to let you know that airports in Queensland remain open and operational across as of this morning, Wednesday 5 March. However, carriers are cancelling multiple services into and out of Ballina Airport this morning, despite the airport remaining open. Airlines are considering impacts to air travel from tomorrow, Thursday 6 March, and we will likely have more information from carriers later this afternoon.

Cyclone Alfred is nearing the Southeast Queensland coast, and is expected to make landfall as soon as the evening of Thursday 6 March. As a result, a number of measures has been taken by local Council and Government to limit public transport movement.

Local public transport travel impacts

  • Brisbane ferries were suspended indefinitely as of Tuesday 4 March.
  • South Moreton Island Bay Ferries were suspended indefinitely as of Tuesday 4 March.
  • Brisbane buses, and a range of Translink services across the region will stop operating from the last service tonight, Wednesday 5 March.
  • Queensland Rail trains will stop operating if wind reaches 90km/h, or when the cyclone is within 200km or 10 hours of making landfall. We are expecting trains to stop operating tomorrow, Thursday 6 March.
  • The Gateway Bridge, Storey Bridge, Walter Taylor Bridge, Go Between Bridge, and major pedestrian bridges will close when winds hit 90km/h.

Airline flexibility offering increases
Yesterday we updated you on the increased flexibility in policies from the airlines, which was allowing customers to reconsider their travel plans without cost. Since then, Qantas and Jetstar have expanded the timeframe of this offering. Regional Express has also provided flexibility to customers.

You can find the latest information from each of the airlines here:

As always, if we can support you during this time please reach out to your travel manager. Please remember, our team is currently dealing with a large amount of customer enquiries, so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work with you to find the best solution for your travel needs.
Please continue to look after yourself, and stay safe.

Cyclone Alfred: Airlines providing flexibility for customers to reschedule

Tuesday, 4 March 2025

As you’ll be aware, Cyclone Alfred is predicted to make landfall this week in Southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales. 

We are working closely with the airlines and local airports as more information becomes available, and we’re pleased to let you know that the airlines are providing flexibility for customers in the impacted region who want to reschedule their travel plans.

Currently, as of the morning of Tuesday 4 March, the airlines are offering the following arrangements to passengers: 

  • Virgin Australia is allowing customers to choose to move their flight to a new date within 14 days from the original departure date free of charge or cancel and request a travel credit. This applies to tickets issued on or before Monday 3 March 2025, and for travel to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Coolangatta and Maroochydore airports from Tuesday, 4 March to Saturday, 8 March 2025 inclusive.
  • Qantas is allowing customers to rebook to the same or lowest class cabin within 14 days of the original travel date free of charge, or hold in credit. This applies to tickets issued on or before 3 March 2025, and for travel to or from Bundaberg, Brisbane, Ballina, Hervey Bay, Coolangatta and Maroochydore from Tuesday, 4 March to Sunday, 9 March 2025.
  • Jetstar is allowing customers to rebook within seven (7) days before or 14 days after the original travel date free of charge, or receive a voucher to the value of their untravelled flights. This applies to travel to or from Maroochydore, Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Coolangatta and Ballina from Tuesday, 4 March to Sunday 9 March 2025.

Carriers are referring customers to reach out to their Stage and Screen travel manager for support. 

Please know that we are dealing with a high volume of enquiries currently, so we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to get you to where you need to be safely, and as quickly as possible. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves. 

You can find the most recent weather warning advice at the Bureau of Meteorology.