Qantas, Virgin apologize as Australia flight delays hit all-time high

Flights leaving Broome have the highest percentage of delays in the country amid the worst national figures recorded since data on delays began to be collected.

Key points:

• Nearly 70 percent of flights between Broome and Perth were delayed last month
• None of the fourteen flights operated by Virgin Australia’s main line leave the airport on time
• Broome Shire president says the delay affects tourists and locals alike

The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) monthly report measures flight delays and cancellations along routes in Australia with 8,000 passengers or more per month.

The latest edition of statistics compiled from June found a little over 30 percent of flights from Broome to Perth depart on time — the highest percentage of delays for any route in the country.

The figure was less than half the national average of 62 percent for the month, which the report said was the worst figure recorded “since recording began in November 2003”.

Virgin Australia’s main line experienced the worst delays for the period — none of the airline’s 14 flights from Broome to Perth departed within 15 minutes of their estimated departure time.

Virgin Australia Regional has also experienced delays, seeing only 38 per cent of its 50 flights scheduled to Perth depart as expected.

But passengers on Qantas and QantasLink flights also faced delays, with only 22.2 and 31.5 percent of the respective airlines’ flights leaving Broome to Perth on time.

There were a total of 11 flight cancellations between the two cities — 10 for QantasLink and one for Virgin Australia Regional.

Nearly 70 percent of flights departing Perth from Broome are delayed, according to the latest figures.(ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)

Tourists and locals are affected

Cancellations and delays have left many travelers with nowhere to go during the busy dry season, which often leaves the city’s hotels booked months in advance.

In an effort to help stranded passengers, local residents were forced to step in and house them until they could board another flight, with a group of volunteers coordinating their efforts.

Broome Shire President Harold Tracey said his staff was affected by the delay.(ABC Kimberley)

But while the problems at the airport have affected tourists, Broome Shire President Harold Tracey said they are also affecting residents.

“Some of my … elderly staff members have appointments to go to Perth and have checkups and MRIs and stuff,” he said.

“The day before the appointment flight… [the flights are] get canceled and then have to cancel the appointment.

“We all know how long to wait when trying to get another appointment.”

In May, Qantas said ongoing delays and cancellations were leaving travelers stranded due to “COVID-related staff challenges” and “technical requirements”.

In late June, the airline sent a full-time engineer to Broome to address issues with the plane in a bid to “minimize the risk of cancellation” at the airport.

Mr Tracey said he hoped engineers would help fix problems with planes flying to and from the airport.

“Qantas has prided itself on being the safest airline in the world, but jalopy flying backwards and forwards to Broome at this time may leave a little to be desired,” he said.

“You want to think that if they had engineers in Broome who could handle some of these little issues, it would really reduce the pain we were feeling.”

The majority of cancellations along the Broome to Perth route were QantasLink flights.(ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)

The airline apologizes for the delay

In response to the report, a Qantas spokesperson said the disruption was caused by “COVID and other illnesses among airline crew as well as a tight labor market”.

“These flight delays and cancellations are not the type of performance we were providing before COVID and we know it’s not at the level our customers expect,” they said.

“Everyone at Qantas and Jetstar is focused on turning this performance around.

“We are already seeing improvement and things will continue to get better month after month.”

The operator has apologized to customers who experienced delays.(ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)

A Virgin Australia spokesperson also apologized to customers who experienced delays at Broome Airport.

“We sincerely apologize to any guests affected by the delay or cancellation of service and we continue to work hard to ensure all guests achieve their goals,” they said.

A spokeswoman for Broome International Airport said the delay was “an airline related issue”.

“Broome Airport is working with airlines to minimize the impact on travelers where possible,” they said.

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