Thousands of Travellers Grounded in Australia, New Zealand as Airports of Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington and more Face 645 Flight Delays and 51 Cancellations, Impacting Jetstar, Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and Several other Carriers

Home » Oceania Travel News » Thousands of Travellers Grounded in Australia, New Zealand as Airports of Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington and more Face 645 Flight Delays and 51 Cancellations, Impacting Jetstar, Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and Several other Carriers

Published on
March 7, 2026

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Travellers in Australia and New Zealand are facing significant disruptions as major airports in Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, Wellington and other cities experience widespread flight delays and cancellations. The aviation industry has been severely impacted, with 645 delays and 51 cancellations reported across several major carriers including Jetstar, Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand and more. This has left thousands of passengers stranded or inconvenienced as they attempt to reach their destinations. This article explores the extent of the disruptions, the airlines involved and the likely impact on local tourism.

Melbourne Airport, one of the busiest in Australia, has faced major delays and cancellations today. With 11 cancellations and 147 delayed flights, passengers have been significantly impacted. Airlines like Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas have all been affected, creating a ripple effect throughout the travel schedule for passengers. The disruption at Melbourne highlights the challenges faced by major international airports, where large numbers of passengers are caught in a web of delays and cancellations.

AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Jetstar42%4631%Qatar Airways457%00%Virgin Australia21%5130%Emirates116%00%China Southern Airlines00%250%XiamenAir00%2100%Fiji Airways00%150%Garuda Indonesia00%150%Vietnam Airlines00%150%Malaysia Airlines00%350%Qantas00%148%QantasLink00%914%Regional Express Airlines00%1062%Scoot00%125%United00%250%Asiana00%1100%Air New Zealand00%321%

Sydney Airport has also been severely impacted by delays, with 14 cancellations and 205 delayed flights recorded. The airport has seen widespread disruption, particularly affecting Jetstar, Virgin Australia and QantasLink. These delays and cancellations have created significant headaches for passengers, particularly those heading to or from popular destinations in Australia and internationally.AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Jetstar75%3323%Virgin Australia31%5434%Emirates225%00%Qatar Airways250%00%SriLankan Airlines00%150%Air New Zealand00%16%Cathay Pacific00%112%XiamenAir00%150%Hawaiian Airlines00%150%Vietnam Airlines00%250%LATAM00%150%Malaysia Airlines00%112%Qantas00%3418%QantasLink00%4145%Regional Express Airlines00%2678%Skytrans00%225%United00%114%VietJet Air00%2100%AirAsia X00%150%Asiana00%150%Air Canada00%150%

Brisbane Airport reported 7 cancellations and 132 delays. As Queensland’s primary international gateway, Brisbane’s flight schedule has been heavily disrupted, affecting both domestic and international services. With carriers like Jetstar, Qatar Airways and Qantas facing delays, passengers have experienced extended waiting times and rebookings.

AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Alliance Airlines36%818%Qatar Airways2100%00%Jetstar11%2536%Virgin Australia10%3024%Air New Zealand00%222%Cathay Pacific00%125%Unknown Owner00%1100%Korean Air00%150%Malaysia Airlines00%2100%Philippine Air Lines00%2100%Qantas00%2518%QantasLink00%2739%Regional Express Airlines00%4133%VietJet Air00%150%

Adelaide Airport also reported significant disruptions, with 7 cancellations and 45 delays. While smaller in comparison to Melbourne and Sydney, the disruption at Adelaide, involving airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia, highlights the widespread nature of the issue across the country.AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Jetstar38%411%Qatar Airways2100%00%QantasLink29%838%Malaysia Airlines00%150%Qantas00%69%Regional Express Airlines00%13130%Singapore Airlines00%125%Alliance Airlines00%150%Virgin Australia00%1125%

In Auckland Airport, New Zealand’s busiest airport, the situation was similarly challenging, with 11 cancellations and 76 delays. Major carriers like Air New Zealand, Jetstar and QantasLink were among the most affected, causing further disruption for passengers attempting to leave or arrive at Auckland.

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AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Air New Zealand93%4818%Qatar Airways2100%00%Air China00%150%Air Chathams00%555%Fiji Airways00%240%Jetstar00%1330%Qantas00%311%Singapore Airlines00%250%American Airlines00%150%

Lastly, Wellington Airport saw 1 cancellation and 40 delays. Although smaller in scale, the disruptions at Wellington still affected several international and domestic flights, with airlines like Air New Zealand and Jetstar caught up in the chaos.AirlineCancelled FlightsCancelled Flights (%)Delayed FlightsDelayed Flights (%)Air New Zealand10%3026%Jetstar00%110%Qantas00%112%Sounds Air00%832%

A number of airlines have been significantly affected by the flight disruptions across Australia and New Zealand. Jetstar, a low-cost carrier operating heavily across the region, experienced the most cancellations, with several flights impacted at Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney airports. The airline recorded delays affecting flights between Australia’s major cities and international routes.

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Qatar Airways, a prominent international carrier, had 2 cancellations at Melbourne and Auckland airports. The airline also faced significant delays, especially on its international routes. Virgin Australia and Qantas have seen multiple delays across various airports, with passengers delayed by up to several hours due to logistical challenges. Other airlines such as Air New Zealand, QantasLink, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines also experienced some disruptions, although on a lesser scale.

In total, the 645 delays and 51 cancellations affected a range of services, from regional to international routes. Passengers travelling to and from popular destinations such as Bali, Singapore and the Pacific Islands have been particularly impacted, with several long-haul services delayed or cancelled.

The aviation disruptions at key airports in Australia and New Zealand will likely have a knock-on effect on local tourism in the affected cities. Melbourne, known for its vibrant culture, arts scene and sporting events, relies heavily on air traffic for inbound tourism. The disruption at Melbourne Airport will likely result in missed flights for international tourists, with many unable to attend events or access key tourism destinations in the city.

Similarly, Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is a major hub for international tourism. Sydney’s iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, attract millions of visitors each year. Delays and cancellations at Sydney Airport will likely reduce the number of international tourists visiting the city, particularly those arriving for business or major events. The prolonged delays could also affect inbound tourism for events like the Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations, which are world-renowned.

In Auckland, New Zealand’s gateway city, the impact on tourism will be equally severe. Auckland is known for its bustling waterfront, beautiful beaches and cultural attractions and the flight disruptions are likely to result in lost revenue from international tourists. The delays, especially on flights arriving from long-haul destinations like the United States and Europe, will affect tourists’ ability to explore New Zealand’s other popular destinations, such as Rotorua and Queenstown.

Brisbane and Adelaide, though smaller tourism hubs compared to Sydney and Melbourne, also stand to lose significant revenue due to the delays and cancellations. Both cities benefit from domestic and international tourists and the extended delays at airports could reduce the overall tourist experience, especially for those seeking to travel across Australia to popular destinations.

Wellington, though a smaller airport, will see fewer tourists visiting the city due to disruptions at the airport. With Wellington’s appeal as a political and cultural centre, including government buildings and museums, the city may suffer from the lack of international and domestic visitors who rely on air travel for easy access.

For passengers currently facing delays or cancellations, the situation remains frustrating, but there are a few steps they can take to minimise inconvenience:

Contact Airlines: Passengers should reach out to their airline for the latest updates on flight statuses. Most airlines, including Jetstar, Qatar Airways and Air New Zealand, offer rebooking options for affected passengers. Airlines also often offer compensation for significant delays or cancellations.Stay Informed: Travelers should regularly check airport websites for updates on flight statuses and the availability of any alternative transportation, such as buses or trains, that may be available to reach their destination.Travel Insurance: Those with travel insurance should review their policies to understand coverage in case of flight cancellations or delays. Many insurance policies cover additional accommodation or meals for stranded passengers.Alternative Routes: If flights are severely delayed, passengers should inquire about alternative routes or connections to reach their final destination, including flights through connecting airports.Stay Calm and Patient: Long waits and uncertainty are often the nature of flight disruptions, but maintaining a calm and patient approach can help mitigate stress during the process.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware.