Qld: More than 200 stranded at Queenslan airport

AAP General News (Australia)
02-02-2007
Qld: More than 200 stranded at Queenslan airport

SYDNEY, Feb 2 AAP - More than 200 passengers are stranded at Queensland's Whitsunday
Airport as wild weather prevented two planes from landing at nearby Proserpine yesterday.

Authorities refused to allow the Jetstar jets permission to land saying it was too
dangerous in the extreme weather, leaving about 230 passengers stuck at the north Queensland
holiday destination.

A third Jetstar aircraft was turned back from Hamilton Island due to the wild weather.

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the Bruce Highway was closed due to flooding,
cutting off the airport and preventing the airline bussing stranded passengers to another
location.

Heavy rain fell across north Queensland yesterday, causing several rivers to flood
between Cairns and Mackay.

"To say it was extremely tough flying conditions would be an understatement," Mr Westaway said.

"Safety is our number one priority."

The airline provided vouchers for the stranded passengers to buy food during their
enforced night in the terminal.

Jetstar plans to adjust its schedule and put on an extra flight today to get the stranded
travellers to their destinations.

Police will check flood waters on the Bruce Highway this morning to see if it is safe
to re-open the road.

AAP sk/hc/cdh

KEYWORD: FLOODS QLD JETSTAR

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