Approaching Category 4 Cyclone Maria Closes Central Queensland Airports - Services Cancelled

At the time of writing, severe tropical cyclone Marcia remains off the Central Queensland coast, moving slowly towards the coast with the system expected to make landfall as a Category 5 cyclone early on Friday 20 February.

A satellite image of TC Marcia  (http://www.facebook.com/MackayWeatherChasers/)

The current cyclone warning area stretches from Bowen to Double Island Point, and inland to areas including Blackwater, Moura and Monto (amongst other towns).

Members of the Rockhampton Aero Club busy moving aircraft into hangars during Thursday  (Photo taken by Paul Tyler  ©)

As a result, both Qantas and Virgin Australia have, late on Thursday 19 February, suspended flights into pretty much all airports along the Central Queensland coast - Bundaberg, Gladstone, Hervey Bay (Fraser Coast), Mackay and Rockhampton - while flights into other Queensland cities including Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Coolangatta (Gold Coast), Biloela/Thangool, Blackall, Barcaldine and Longreach could be affected by the associated weather conditions with Cyclone Marcia.

QantasLink B717 VH-NXI & Virgin E-190 VH-ZPH were the last two departures from Gladstone Airport on Thursday  (Photo taken by Col  ©)

We at the Central Queensland Plane Spotting Blog are thinking of our contributors, aviators, enthusiasts, as well as fans and friends during this time.  Take heed of warnings and stay safe!