Fire, Cancellations, and Delays: Melbourne Airport Faces Double Trouble in a 24-Hour Travel Catastrophe!

Published on November 30, 2025

By: Paramita Sarkar

Melbourne Airport was thrown into chaos during a tumultuous 24- to 48-hour period at the end of November 2025, as two separate incidents—the fire at Terminal 1 and a global safety recall of Airbus A320 aircraft—exacerbated travel disruptions.

Fire Breaks Out at Terminal 1

On the evening of November 28, around 7:20 PM local time, a fire broke out in a storage room in Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 1, which serves as the Qantas domestic terminal. The small blaze, quickly extinguished by emergency services within 20 minutes, caused a temporary halt to airport operations, with all passengers evacuated from the terminal.

The fire, though confined to a small area, led to a major inconvenience for travelers. Planes were grounded on the tarmac, with some passengers trapped aboard for up to two hours. An estimated 1,500–several thousand passengers were delayed, with some flights either canceled or rescheduled.

Although the terminal was partially reopened later that evening after safety checks, the disruption continued into the following day. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but no injuries were reported from the incident.

Global Airbus A320 Safety Recall Adds to Chaos

As if the fire wasn’t enough, a major safety recall by Airbus on November 28–29, 2025, further compounded the travel chaos. The recall affected approximately 6,000 A320-family aircraft worldwide, representing over half of the global fleet of the popular aircraft model. The recall was prompted by a mid-air incident on October 30, 2025, when intense solar radiation caused a malfunction in a JetBlue A320’s flight-control systems, resulting in a sudden altitude drop and injuries to passengers.

Regulatory agencies like the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated immediate inspections and fixes. In Australia, the low-cost carrier Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, was forced to ground 34 of its 85 A320/A321 aircraft. This resulted in the cancellation of 90 flights on November 29, stranding thousands of passengers, especially at Melbourne and Sydney airports.

Other airlines, including ANA Holdings, Avianca, and major US and European carriers, were also impacted by the recall, leading to further cancellations and delays worldwide. While repairs were expected to be completed quickly, the disruptions continued for several days, with many flights resuming by November 30.

The Combined Impact on Melbourne Airport

The fire at Terminal 1 and the Airbus recall created a “perfect storm” of travel disruptions at Melbourne Airport, a major hub for Qantas and Jetstar. The timing of the incidents, coinciding with Australia’s end-of-school-year period, amplified the chaos, as families, students, and travelers heading out for the holidays faced significant delays.

Passengers took to social media platforms like Reddit to voice their frustration, with many describing their experiences as a “travel nightmare.” Some travelers reported being stuck at the airport for hours, with limited communication and unclear flight information.

However, by November 30, operations at Melbourne Airport began to normalize, and airlines resumed their schedules. Passengers were advised to check with their carriers for rebookings or compensation options.

A Reminder of the Fragility of Air Travel

The disruptions at Melbourne Airport in late November highlight the vulnerability of air travel to a range of factors, from unforeseen accidents to global technical issues. While no major injuries or ongoing safety risks were reported, the events of this period served as a reminder of how quickly travel plans can be disrupted, affecting thousands of passengers worldwide.

For travelers planning to fly during busy holiday periods, these incidents underscore the importance of staying informed and prepared for potential delays.