Emirates, Delta, Qantas, All Nippon, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korean Air Crippled by Cyclone Zelia as Travel Disruptions Mount with Numerous Cancellations at Sydney and Melbourne Airports, Australia

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As Cyclone Zelia barrels through Western Australia, major airlines including Emirates, Delta, Qantas, All Nippon, Air New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Korean Air are facing severe disruptions, leaving travelers stranded at Sydney and Melbourne Airports. The storm, which made landfall earlier than expected, has caused widespread travel paralysis, leading to numerous flight cancellations and delays.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued urgent warnings for destructive winds, intense rainfall, and dangerous flooding across key regions such as Port Hedland, Wallal Downs, Whim Creek, Marble Bar, and Tom Price. With extreme weather conditions worsening, airlines have been forced to ground flights, impacting both domestic and international travel.

Passengers scheduled to fly through Sydney and Melbourne are advised to check with their airlines for updates, as further disruptions are expected while the storm continues to wreak havoc across the region.

Cyclone Zelia’s Impact on Western Australia

Initially classified as a category five system, Cyclone Zelia was downgraded to category four but continues to pose significant threats. The storm is producing wind gusts up to 290km/h, with rainfall totals expected to reach up to 500mm over three days.

Matthew Collopy from BOM warned of flash flooding and riverine flooding across the Pilbara and Gascoyne regions, with flood warnings already in place for major coastal rivers.

Residents are urged to stay indoors, as damaging winds and flooding risks will persist into Saturday. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has already responded to 37 emergency calls in the affected areas. Commissioner Darren Klemm emphasized the post-cyclone dangers, including damaged buildings, fallen power lines, and debris, urging people to monitor the Emergency WA app or ABC Radio for real-time updates.

Severe Flight Disruptions at Major Airports

The extreme weather has had a ripple effect on air travel, causing major delays and cancellations at some of Australia’s busiest airports, including Sydney and Melbourne Tullamarine.

Sydney Airport Travel Chaos

As Cyclone Zelia wreaks havoc, air travel at Sydney Airport has been thrown into disarray, with major airlines struggling to manage the impact of the storm.

• 256 flights delayed, affecting airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Emirates, Delta, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Korean Air.
• 20 flights cancelled, with Virgin Australia taking the hardest hit, canceling 12% of its scheduled flights.
• Qantas and Jetstar also faced major delays, with Qantas recording 69 delayed flights (38% of its operations).
• Other impacted carriers include Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, LATAM, and Vietnam Airlines, all reporting significant travel disruptions.

Melbourne Tullamarine Flight Delays

Flight operations at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport have also been crippled by the cyclone, with travelers facing long waits and last-minute cancellations.

• 172 flights delayed, with Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Korean Air among the most affected.
• 12 flights cancelled, including 9 Virgin Australia flights.
• Qantas was significantly impacted, with 57 delays (39% of its operations).
• International carriers such as Beijing Capital Airlines, Thai Airways, United Airlines, and VietJet Air also experienced disruptions, causing headaches for travelers on both domestic and international routes.

Passengers flying through Sydney and Melbourne Airports are strongly advised to check with their airlines for real-time updates as further travel disruptions are expected while Cyclone Zelia continues to impact operations.

What Travelers Need to Know

Passengers flying to or from Sydney, Melbourne, or Western Australia should expect further disruptions as Cyclone Zelia moves inland. Airlines are advising travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and allow extra time for possible delays.

With severe weather continuing, travelers are encouraged to monitor airline updates, reschedule flights if necessary, and stay informed through official sources such as Emergency WA, BOM, and airline websites.