Qantas diversions from Queenstown

8 replies

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

A number of QF flights from ZQN, principally to MEL and BNE, have been diverting to CHC. Seems to have started a week or so ago. Does anyone know why?

Grannular

Member since 31 Mar 2014

Total posts 283

Can't get out of Queenstown with enough fuel onboard maybe?

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

Originally Posted by Grannular

Can't get out of Queenstown with enough fuel onboard maybe?

Queenstown does have a short runway. Are they are deliberately overloading with baggage and freight so they have to top up fuel in CHC?

aklrunway

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2011

Total posts 180

There is a fuel shortage at Queenstown Airport

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

Originally Posted by aklrunway

There is a fuel shortage at Queenstown Airport

That's interesting. In the last week not a single NZ flight from ZQN to BNE/SYD/MEL has diverted to CHC. However, 3 QF to BNE (QF186) and 1 QF to MEL (QF178) have diverted. Jetstar cancelled 2 flights to MEL. Still plenty of fuel for the locals it seems.

aklrunway

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2011

Total posts 180

It’s possible that the NZ flights start the flying pattern in Auckland which means they can carry additional fuel to Queenstown for the Tasman sector

tommygun

Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles

Member since 16 Oct 2017

Total posts 291

Originally Posted by aklrunway

It’s possible that the NZ flights start the flying pattern in Auckland which means they can carry additional fuel to Queenstown for the Tasman sector

It seems only a320neo aircraft are used by NZ on Tasman flights from ZQN. The 5 frames owned by NZ very rarely operate domestic services involving Queenstown. However, perhaps they require less fuel than the QF 738's? I guess it would have to be significantly less to make a difference in a fuel shortage though.

aniljak

Member since 15 Sep 2012

Total posts 99

On a NZ avaiation Facebook book page it was stated that weather conditions in Queenstown were such that the 737-800s couldn't meet the safety requirements to be able totake off and clear mountains on a single engine. Fuel shortage was temporary for just a day or so

taxiwayalpha

Member since 29 Jul 2022

Total posts 1

One incident on NZ 13-July MEL-ZQN was that the GPS was not operational and had to divert to CHC for repairs as it couldn’t fly the RNP approach. What was interesting is that the PIC said that they couldn’t land at ZQN if revised ETA was after dark.

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