{"id":102098,"date":"2025-03-05T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T19:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/?p=102098"},"modified":"2025-03-05T00:24:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T13:24:48","slug":"airlines-respond-cyclone-alfred-policies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/airlines-respond-cyclone-alfred-policies\/","title":{"rendered":"Airlines Respond to Tropical Cyclone Alfred with Flexible Travel Policies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>With Tropical Cyclone Alfred gaining strength, airlines operating in Queensland and New South Wales are introducing fee-free booking changes and travel credits to assist affected passengers. The storm has led to New South Wales\u2019 first cyclone watch in over three decades, signalling a rare and potentially significant weather event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skynews.com.au\/australia-news\/weather\/qantas-jetstar-and-virgin-australia-each-provide-updates-for-customers-on-booking-options-amid-tropical-cyclone-alfred\/news-story\/817dd2c965a75978e4ded041a0948e75\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.skynews.com.au\/australia-news\/weather\/qantas-jetstar-and-virgin-australia-each-provide-updates-for-customers-on-booking-options-amid-tropical-cyclone-alfred\/news-story\/817dd2c965a75978e4ded041a0948e75\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky News<\/a>, forecasts indicate that the system will make landfall as a category two cyclone on Thursday night, with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected to impact Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Northern Rivers, raising concerns for both travellers and residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Expected Impact and Preparedness Measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist <a href=\"https:\/\/scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au\/profile\/mr-jonathan-how\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au\/profile\/mr-jonathan-how\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jonathon How<\/a>, the southern flank of the cyclone will likely experience the most severe impacts, affecting major coastal cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, flights at Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ballina Byron Bay, and Sunshine Coast airports are still operating as normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, airport operation teams are closely monitoring weather conditions, and airlines are advising travelers to stay updated on flight statuses. Airlines, including Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia, have introduced flexible booking policies to accommodate affected passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Qantas: Free Date Changes and Travel Credits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qantas.com\/agencyconnect\/eu\/en\/agency-news\/agency-news-march-25\/commercial-and-reward-bookings-policy-for-customers-impacted-by-cyclone-alfred.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.qantas.com\/agencyconnect\/eu\/en\/agency-news\/agency-news-march-25\/commercial-and-reward-bookings-policy-for-customers-impacted-by-cyclone-alfred.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Qantas<\/a> passengers with flights booked to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Gold Coast, and Maroochydore between March 4 and March 9, 2025, can access fee-free changes or travel credits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Travelers can reschedule their flights up to 14 days from the original departure date, subject to availability. Those who no longer wish to fly can request a travel credit via the Manage Booking portal, by calling Qantas customer service, or by contacting their travel agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Qantas has assured passengers that if their flight is impacted, they will receive notifications via SMS using the number provided in their booking. Additionally, flight details can be checked through the Qantas App or the airline\u2019s Manage Booking online portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jetstar: Free Date Changes and Travel Vouchers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Jetstar is offering similar options to travelers flying from Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore), Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Gold Coast (Coolangatta), and Ballina Byron Bay between March 4 and March 6. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passengers can reschedule their flights up to seven days before or up to 14 days after the original date. For those who prefer not to travel, Jetstar is providing a voucher equivalent to the value of their unused flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/uk-airport-gets-new-direct-route-to-bahrain\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"105250\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The airline<\/a> emphasized that it is closely monitoring the cyclone\u2019s progression and will contact customers directly if their flights are impacted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Virgin Australia: Flexible Rebooking Options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Virgin Australia is allowing customers with flights to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast between <strong>March 4<\/strong> and March 8 to adjust their travel plans without penalties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passengers can move their flight to another date within 14 days of the original booking, subject to availability. Alternatively, those who choose to cancel can request a <strong>travel credit<\/strong> through the airline\u2019s <strong>Guest Contact Centre<\/strong> or their travel agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Virgin Australia spokesperson stated, <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe understand people may no longer wish to fly to or from areas which may be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so we are making it easier for guests to change their travel plans.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Airservices Australia: Industry Coordination and Contingency Plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Airservices Australia, the agency responsible for air traffic control, is collaborating with industry stakeholders to ensure passenger and staff safety while minimizing disruptions. While airspace is not typically closed due to weather, airlines may cancel or reroute flights in severe conditions, and airports may temporarily suspend operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> The agency has put in place contingency measures, including <strong>backup power supplies and emergency operational assets<\/strong>, to maintain essential aviation services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Airservices Australia, there is potential for airborne and ground delays if staff or facilities become unavailable due to weather impacts. The agency has assured that emergency services will receive continued support throughout the cyclone\u2019s duration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travelers Urged to Stay Informed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Authorities and airlines continue to advise travelers to monitor flight updates closely and make proactive changes if necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some airlines, such as Jetstar, are recommending that passengers bring forward their flights before the evening of March 6 to reduce the risk of disruptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has urged residents to take Tropical Cyclone Alfred seriously, as forecasts indicate uncommon and severe conditions for southeastern Queensland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With landfall expected late Thursday, travelers should remain vigilant, stay informed through airline alerts and weather updates, and adjust their plans accordingly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Airlines are adjusting their policies as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches, offering passengers flexible rebooking options. Severe weather is expected to disrupt travel across Queensland and New South Wales.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":102099,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-weather","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=102098"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102098\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":102103,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/102098\/revisions\/102103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/102099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=102098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=102098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=102098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}