Australia alongwith New Zealand Sees 41 New Flight Cancellations by Qantas, Air New Zealand, Jetstar and More Airlines, Causes Travel Derangement Across Sydney, Brisbane, Christchurch and Other Airports

Published on August 29, 2025

Australia alongwith New Zealand have been hit with 41 new flight cancellations today, causing major disruptions across multiple airports. Airlines including Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Jetstar are among those reporting significant service interruptions. Key cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, and Christchurch have felt the brunt of these cancellations, with travelers stranded or facing long delays. The impact is being felt throughout major Australian and New Zealand airports, including Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington, and others. Passengers are left scrambling to rebook, as many flights are at full capacity due to the rising demand for alternative travel routes. These sudden cancellations have caused a travel derangement, with many travelers unsure of how to proceed. As airlines work on resolving the situation, affected passengers are advised to stay updated and check for rebooking options.

Affected Airports and Cities

• Australia: Major disruptions have affected several key Australian cities, with Melbourne Tullamarine, Sydney, and Brisbane being the most impacted. Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, has witnessed cancellations to and from Sydney, with several flights to Auckland also being affected. Sydney, the largest city in the country, has also seen multiple cancellations both to and from Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra. Brisbane, a major hub in Queensland, has experienced limited but notable cancellations impacting flights to Melbourne and Wellington. Adelaide, located in South Australia, has seen cancellations on flights to and from Sydney, while Canberra has also been affected, with cancelled connections to Sydney adding further pressure to the capital’s travel network.
• New Zealand: The cancellation impact stretches across the Tasman Sea, affecting both Wellington and Christchurch airports. Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, has been hit hard, with multiple flights to Christchurch, Hamilton, and Auckland cancelled throughout Thursday and Friday. Christchurch, a major gateway on the South Island, has also faced cancellations, particularly to and from Wellington and Auckland, with significant disruptions felt by travelers hoping to connect to domestic and international flights.

Cancellations Based on Airlines across Australia and new Zealand

Here’s a breakdown of the cancellations across different airlines, with details on the affected routes and airports:

QantasLink (QLK) Cancellations

QantasLink has experienced significant disruptions with 15 cancellations across multiple routes, affecting airports in both Australia and New Zealand. The major airports impacted include Sydney, Canberra, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, Dubbo, Brisbane, Port Lincoln, and Bundaberg. Key domestic routes from Canberra to Sydney, Sydney to Albury, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie, Dubbo, and Bundaberg were among those cancelled. Additional cancellations involved flights from Adelaide to Port Lincoln and Brisbane to Bundaberg. These disruptions span across Thursday and Friday, impacting passengers across several Australian regions.

Here is the table format for the cancelled QantasLink “QJET” (QJE) flights:

Qantas (QFA) Cancellations

Qantas also reported 8 cancellations, with disruptions primarily affecting travel between major Australian cities. Several flights from Melbourne Tullamarine to Sydney and vice versa were cancelled. Passengers traveling from Sydney to Adelaide and Adelaide to Sydney were also affected. Furthermore, flights between Canberra and Sydney were also among those cancelled. These cancellations took place on Thursday, primarily disrupting flights to and from Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide.

Jetstar (JST) Cancellations

Jetstar had 2 cancellations, impacting key routes between Brisbane, Melbourne, and Darwin. The flights affected included those from Brisbane to Melbourne and Melbourne to Brisbane, as well as Darwin to Brisbane. These cancellations, scheduled for Friday, have left many passengers with limited options for alternative travel.

Sounds Air (SDA) Cancellations

Sounds Air, operating primarily in New Zealand, reported 1 cancellation, affecting the route between Picton Aerodrome and Wellington. This cancellation, scheduled for Friday, disrupted travel for passengers between the two locations, leaving travelers to look for other options for travel.

Air New Zealand (ANZ) Cancellations

Air New Zealand saw the largest number of cancellations, with a total of 13 flights disrupted across various routes between New Zealand’s major cities. Flights from Wellington to Christchurch, Hamilton, and Auckland were affected, with Christchurch to Wellington and Auckland to Christchurch also facing cancellations. Additionally, flights from Hamilton to Wellington were among the disruptions. These cancellations span over both Thursday and Friday, significantly affecting travel in and out of Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland.

Impact on Passengers

A total of 41 flights across multiple airports have been cancelled, with the majority of disruptions taking place today (Thursday) and continuing into Friday. Travelers from Wellington, Christchurch, Melbourne, and Brisbane are the most affected, with delays expected to extend into the coming days.

Passengers affected by these cancellations should immediately check with their respective airlines for the latest updates on rebooking, as many flights are expected to be full for the next few days. For those traveling internationally or to other domestic locations, airlines are offering alternative routes and options to minimize disruptions.

• For passengers in Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, options are limited, and travelers may need to wait several hours for the next available flights. Rebooking is advised directly through the airline websites or via customer support.
• For those in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, travelers should expect significant delays, and those with onward connections may need to explore alternative routes through neighboring airports.

What Can Affected Passengers Do?

1. Contact Airlines Immediately: Affected passengers should reach out to their airline’s customer service for rebooking. Many airlines are prioritizing rebooking passengers for alternative flights, but this may take time given the high demand.
2. Check for Refunds or Compensation: In the event of cancellations, many airlines offer compensation or refund options for passengers. It’s advisable to check with the airline’s customer service for these options.
3. Stay Updated: Keep an eye on flight status through the airline’s mobile app, website, or airport display boards. Information regarding flight statuses and any changes will be available on these platforms.
4. Explore Alternative Airports: For those affected by cancellations to or from major hubs, consider checking other nearby airports. Some airports in neighboring cities may offer alternate routes with fewer disruptions.

Conclusion

This wave of cancellations has significantly impacted both domestic and international travel across Australia and New Zealand. The disruptions have affected passengers from all major cities, including Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, with the peak of the disruption expected to last for the next 24-48 hours. Travelers are urged to stay informed, be patient, and coordinate closely with their airlines for the best possible alternatives.

Source: FlightAware

Image Credit: Qantas