These tourists have their flights canceled. Almost a week later, they are still stranded in Darwin
After coming to Darwin for what was supposed to be a weeklong visit, Melbourne residents Erin Watkins and Mick Porter are still stranded, almost a week after they were supposed to fly home.
Key points:
- Travelers stranded in NT for up to a week due to flight cancellations
- The tourism industry is concerned about the “reputation damage” that the cancellation of the NT as a tourist destination
- Qantas Group says the cancellation is due to “ongoing resource challenges”
“I was the bridesmaid for the wedding on Friday and then the reception on Sunday and I miss both,” Watkins said.
“That’s pretty devastating.”
They are among hundreds of people stranded in the NT due to numerous flight cancellations by Qantas and its budget subsidiary, Jetstar.
And like many others, they are stuck waiting up to a week for the next available flight home.
The couple received a text from Jetstar last Wednesday afternoon to inform them that their flight – which was scheduled to depart in the early hours of Thursday morning – had been cancelled.
After spending hours trying to contact the airline online and by phone, they went to the airport where the staff informed them that the next available flight was in a week.
“Even if we wanted to pay with another airline, nothing [alternative flight],” he says.
“When we realized it was going to be a whole week, we were quite stressed because we were really worried about our jobs.”
The pair were stranded at a time when Darwin was facing an accommodation crisis amid a busy tourist season and widespread staff shortages.
“We are very lucky that we have a place to live here,” Watkins said.
‘Reputation damage’ concerns the tourism industry
Top End Tourism General Manager Glen Hingley said other tourists were not so lucky, and had been scrambling to find last-minute accommodation or alternative transportation with limited assistance from airlines.
“The information center here has been inundated, and still is, with people trying to find alternative arrangements,” he said.
“There was a time when Qantas and Jetstar and other airlines had staff here on the ground.
“Not saying ‘it’s a voucher’ via text message, ‘find your own way around Australia’ – that’s not how we operate.
“Shouldn’t be depending on the team at the Darwin Visitor Information Center and hotel desks and tour and attraction companies to [have to deal] with this challenge.”
Mr Hingley said he was concerned about the “reputation damage” that cancellations had done to the Northern Territory as a tourist destination.
“There’s a lot of upset people here because they don’t know how they’re going to be able to afford their six days. [accommodation]they were looking for alternatives and what looked like a good attractive proposal … when they made the decision to come here now it’s been quite expensive,” he said.
Acting Chief Minister and Minister for Tourism Nicole Manison told ABC radio she would meet representatives from the Qantas group on Tuesday.
He asked the company to “take care of the area”.
“My message to them is that the impact they have in a place like the NT is far greater than the changes to flights in Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.
‘Resource challenge’ to blame for cancellation
A spokesman for the Qantas group said in a statement that the cancellation was due to “ongoing resource challenges, similar to those faced by other airlines and the airline industry around the world”.
“We sincerely apologize for the frustration and disappointment this schedule change has caused, especially during the school holidays,” the spokesperson said.
“We have been working with our Northern Territory partners and stakeholders to explore each option to minimize the impact on the customer journey.
“Customers affected by this cancellation have been offered various options, including refunds or alternative seats across Qantas and Jetstar services on the next available flight.”
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