Major Disruptions at Hamilton Island Airport on Tuesday - No Commercial Aircraft Able to Land due to Low Cloud

Very interesting to note that on Tuesday 21 July, not one aircraft was noted to have arrived or departed Hamilton Island Airport - except I'm told for a single helicopter - due to the persistent low cloud that drifted across parts of the Whitsundays.

I believe the morning QantasLink Dash-8-Q400 QLK2503 service from Cairns - operated by VH-QOT - returned to Cairns.

While all three Virgin Australia flights into Hamo on Tuesday 21 July diverted to different locations - VOZ1751 from Melbourne (Tullamarine) operated by B737-800 VH-YVC diverted to Townsville - VOZ1281 from Sydney operated by B737-800 VH-YVD diverted to Mackay - VOZ1497 from Brisbane operated by B737-800 VH-YFI actually returned to Brisbane after being unable to land.  All three return flights from Hamilton were subsequently cancelled.

Finally, the Jetstar Airways Airbus A320 JST846 service from Sydney - operated by VH-VGH - also diverted to Townsville.

All aircraft that diverted did not attempt another landing at Hamilton Island, instead positioning to various ports to resume their day of flying.

File photo taken by 'AC'  ©

Finally, there was due to be an Alliance Airlines charter into Hamilton Island late on Tuesday 21 July, and Fokker F-100 VH-FKA was noted flying to Hamo as UTY560.  It too did not land and returned to Brisbane.

What a messy day!