Southeastern Australia is grappling with severe travel disruptions as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an unusual Category 2 storm, charges toward the coastline. Australia Faces Major Travel Disruptions as Cyclone Alfred Triggers Over 200 Flight Cancellations at Brisbane and Sydney Airports, Affecting Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, American, Air Canada, and More. The intense system has triggered widespread airport shutdowns, mass flight cancellations, and chaotic schedule disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across Queensland and New South Wales.

Cyclone Alfred Sparks Chaos Along Australia’s East Coast

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe cyclone warning covering approximately 450-500 km of coastline from Double Island Point in Queensland to Ballina in New South Wales. Alfred is set to make landfall early Friday, with the area between Maroochydore and Coolangatta expected to bear the brunt of the storm.

The system is bringing destructive winds of up to 120 km/h, with gusts potentially reaching 155 km/h along the coast, stretching as far south as Cape Byron by Thursday afternoon. Heavy rainfall and storm surges are expected, heightening the risk of flash flooding and power outages.

Airports Shut Down as Airlines Ground Flights

Air travel has come to a near standstill in parts of southeastern Australia, with multiple airports suspending operations and airlines grounding flights.

• Ballina Byron Gateway Airport has ceased all flight operations, canceling services on Wednesday, March 5, and Thursday, March 6 due to safety concerns.
• Gold Coast Airport, located approximately 90 km north of Ballina, closed its terminal at 4 PM on Wednesday, anticipating deteriorating conditions.
• Brisbane Airport remains operational, but numerous flights have been delayed or canceled as airlines adjust their schedules.

Flight Cancellations and Delays at Major Airports

According to FlightAware, the cyclone has resulted in severe disruptions at Australia’s busiest airports:

• Brisbane Airport: 194 flights canceled, 158 delayed
• Sydney Airport: 98 flights canceled, 134 delayed

Airlines Respond to the Crisis

Airlines have taken drastic steps to manage operations amid the cyclone’s impact.

• Virgin Australia is running a limited flight schedule at Brisbane Airport until 6 PM on Thursday before suspending services from Wednesday afternoon through midday Friday.
• Several carriers, including Qantas, Jetstar, QantasLink, Alliance Airlines, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, American Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, have been forced to cancel flights.
• In Sydney, disruptions have impacted airlines such as China Southern Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, LATAM, Malaysia Airlines, VietJet Air, Emirates, and Air Canada.

Authorities Warn Residents and Travelers to Stay Alert

Emergency officials have urged residents in coastal communities and low-lying areas to remain vigilant, as the cyclone is expected to bring heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible storm surges. Travelers are advised to check with airlines before heading to the airport, as further cancellations and delays are likely.

Cyclone Alfred’s Impact Beyond Air Travel

The cyclone’s impact extends beyond aviation, with authorities warning of disruptions to road and rail networks, ferry services, and public transportation in flood-prone areas. Power outages and infrastructure damage are possible as Alfred moves inland.

As Cyclone Alfred nears landfall on Friday, the full extent of its impact remains uncertain. Travelers and residents in affected areas should monitor official weather updates and prepare for potential emergencies.

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