Ice at Melbourne Airport Delays Qantas and Jetstar Flights

20th Jul 2015

Hundreds of passengers waiting for the Australian carriers Qantas and Jetstar were left stranded this morning on the Melbourne Airport, as both companies had to delay their flights due to ice forming on the planes' wings, with the temperature dropping to below zero at 6:30 AM.

Qantas didn't have a De-Icing Machine, had to Wait for the Sun to Melt the Ice

For the "Kangaroo", however, the problem was even bigger as the airline had to wait for the sun to melt the ice because the de-icing truck wasn't working. A spokeswoman for Qantas said the truck should be fixed before Tuesday morning flights.

Eventually, however, both carriers continued their service at 8:40 AM. The delays continued until 11:30 AM.

Qantas passenger, Collin Galston, who was traveling from Adelaide with his son, said they only received an announcement while in the business lounge that there are some "unknown delays".

Galston said:

"Incredible, Qantas have just announced that as they do not have a de-icing machine, they need to wait for the sun to come up. Many very unhappy folks in the lounge."

Another passenger, asking to remain unnamed, was flying from Adelaide to Perth for some meetings. He arrived at 5:30 this morning, expecting to catch a 6:30 AM flight, but was still at the airport at 8:05 AM.

He said:

"I'll be missing my first meeting."

The passenger also said he hopes to make the afternoon meeting, but that the situation is very confusing.

"There's basically no information, to be honest."

Jetstar Flights also delayed to Ice

Another Australian carrier also had its flights delayed to ice this morning. However, unlike Qantas, Jetstar had a de-icing machine ready for use.

At about 9 AM, a Jetstar spokesman said:

"Our team has been working to de-ice aircraft at the airport and all morning departures are under way."