A Couple of Disruptions and Extra Flights for Commercial Operators at Hamilton Island Airport

It's been an interesting week at Hamilton Island Airport for the major commercial airlines with some minor disruptions and an extra flight or two calling in!

A busy Hamilton Island Airport in wake of TC Debbie  (File photo)

Last Sunday 30 April, Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 VH-VQK touched down from Sydney as JQ846 and broke down.  Consequently, the return JQ849 flight was cancelled.  On Monday 1 May, VH-VQK returned to Sydney, empty, positioning as JQ7991.

On Tuesday 2 May, Virgin Australia Boeing B737-800 VH-VUH departed Brisbane for Hamilton Island as VOZ1497 but encountered a technical problem soon after departure and consequently returned to Brisbane.  After some two-and-a-half hours, VH-VUH took the air again, operating the now delayed VOZ1497 to Hamo and back to Brisbane without incident.

On Wednesday 3 May, Qantas Airways operated an additional flight into Hamilton Island Airport from and back to Brisbane with Boeing B737-800 VH-VXA operating as QFA1324/1325.

Finally, on Thursday 4 May, three New South Wales-based light aircraft touched down at Hamilton Island Airport for a short time while flying North from Hervey Bay to Cairns. Piper PA-28-235 Cherokee VH-BUJ, Cessna 182 VH-SDN and Beech 35-C33 Bonanza VH-FJF all touched down at Hamo from Hervey Bay via Rockhampton Airport.  They all looked to continue North to Cairns.

Photo taken by 'AC'  ©