'We could have gone to Europe and back': Adelaide couple make 48-hour bus journey home amid flight cancellations

An Adelaide couple on holiday in the Northern Territory said they had to get home by bus 48 hours after their Jetstar flight was canceled over the weekend.

Key points:

• Therese Kenny spent 48 hours on the bus so she could go home after her flight was cancelled
• A Greyhound Australia spokesperson said there had been an increase in sales due to flight cancellations
• Jetstar said customers were offered rescheduled flights, but acknowledged availability was limited

Therese Kenny and her husband George are on holiday in Darwin and will fly back to Adelaide on Saturday morning.

But just five hours before their flight was due to depart, they were told it had been cancelled.

Kenny told ABC Radio Adelaide the airline had offered his seat on another flight in about six days.

The former Liberal ministerial staffer and state candidate said he also found one-way flights from Darwin to Adelaide on unspecified airlines cost $5,000 each.

“We just weren’t in a position to do that, we could have gone to Europe and come back for that,” said Kenny.

“Last minute we looked at the Greyhound and did the bus still run … and we just walked back in the door after 48 hours of non-stop, the wheels on the bus rolling from Darwin to Adelaide.

“To be honest we feel a little crushed.”

Adelaide woman Therese Kenny and her husband George. The couple were stranded in Darwin after their flight home was cancelled. They went home by bus for 48 hours.(Provided: Therese Kenny)

Ms Kenny said she felt the family would be traveling during the school holidays and might find themselves in a similar situation.

“I know it’s not the only story, we’ve heard a lot of people in the same situation,” he said.

“It’s a sign of a little caution when you want to escape.”

Kenny said there were other passengers on their bus trip who were on the same flight being cancelled.

He said there were also passengers who decided to take the bus rather than risk booking a flight that would later be cancelled.

Cancellation due to staffing issues

In a statement, a Jetstar spokesperson said Saturday’s flight was canceled due to “unwell crew members”.

Traveling by bus was not an option given by the airline, but a spokesperson said customers affected by the cancellation were offered a new flight or reimbursement.

“Customers have been provided with alternative options, including the next available flight, accommodation in Darwin and reimbursement of costs incurred as a result of the disruption, including food and transportation,” the spokesperson said.

But the spokesman acknowledged there was “very limited availability due to very full flights”.

He said customers can also opt for a full refund.

Bus bookings increase

A spokesman for Greyhound Australia said the company had seen an increase in bookings of late.

“We know this reasonable proportion is due to flight cancellations,” he said.

“While we do not track customers’ reasons for actively traveling, we have noted through customer feedback at the time of booking their service, that flight cancellations play a role, be it reactive or proactive with respect to flight cancellations.”

The spokesman said the Greyhound had been able to comfortably accommodate the inflow.

He said while bus travel may not be suitable for everyone, he encouraged people to consider using bus services to avoid potentially cancelled flights.

‘Grateful to be home’

Ms Kenny said despite feeling like a “wild woman” at the end of her trip, the bus ride wasn’t too bad.

“It’s safe, it’s safe and you stop at some very unusual places that you’ll probably never pass by,” he said.

“If you get into the right mindset it’s a great way to kick back and not think too much and look out the window.

“That’s how we approached him and we’re so grateful we got home.”

Last week, three sisters from Melbourne said they had been stuck in Darwin for almost a week after their flight was canceled due to staff shortages.

“We were basically stranded, we had no accommodation and we couldn’t get another flight for another five days,” said Emma Pagotto.

Erin Watkins and Mick Porter were also stuck in Darwin for almost an extra week when their flight was cancelled.

Flights have been regularly delayed or canceled.(ABC News: Steve Opie)

Several airlines have reported spikes in demand, higher than pre-pandemic levels.

In an op-ed published on the Qantas website on Sunday, domestic and international CEO Andrew David said delays across the country were caused by COVID.

“Restarting an airline after two years of inactivity is complex and the aviation labor market, like many others, is very tight,” he said.

“Compounded is the fact that COVID cases are rising sharply again at the same time as the winter flu season.”

He dismissed claims that the company’s decision to outsource ground handling was the main reason the restart was difficult.

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