Southeastern Australia is facing severe travel disruptions as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, an unusual Category 2 storm, approaches the coastline. With more than 200 flight cancellations at major airports in Brisbane and Sydney, passengers are experiencing chaos, with flights grounded by carriers such as Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, American Airlines, and Air Canada. The powerful storm has caused widespread airport shutdowns, mass flight cancellations, and delays, leaving thousands of travelers stranded across Queensland and New South Wales.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe cyclone warning covering approximately 450-500 km of coastline, from Double Island Point in Queensland to Ballina in New South Wales. Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall early Friday, with the area between Maroochydore and Coolangatta anticipated to experience the worst of the storm.
The system is generating destructive winds reaching up to 120 km/h, with gusts potentially reaching 155 km/h along the coast. These conditions are expected to extend as far south as Cape Byron by Thursday afternoon. In addition to the dangerous winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges are heightening the risk of flash flooding and widespread power outages.
Airports across the region, including Brisbane and Sydney, have suspended operations as safety measures are put into place. With a large number of flights grounded, the travel situation remains uncertain, and airlines are advising passengers to monitor the situation closely for updates.
The impact of Cyclone Alfred underscores the vulnerability of air travel to severe weather events, leaving thousands of holidaymakers, business travelers, and aviation professionals grappling with the fallout. Travelers are urged to check the status of their flights and prepare for possible delays or rescheduling as the storm continues to wreak havoc along the east coast of Australia.
