Emirates defends curfew breach

Emirates defends curfew breach
By admin


The head of Emirates in Australia has appealed to the government to see “common sense” as transport officials probe breaches of Sydney Airport’s curfew.

Barry Brown admitted that a flight on January 8 departed after the 11pm cut off time but defended the decision. He told Travel Today it was made in the interests of more than 500 passengers and for the greater good of New South Wales and Sydney.
The NSW Tourism Industry Council has backed Emirates’ stance, branding the rigid curfew regulations as “absurd”.
Brown explained that thunderstorms prevented the A380 from refuelling which led to the delayed departure.
“We had a full load, about 550 on board, and there is no way we could have found accommodation in Sydney for that number of people at that time of night,” Brown said. “It would have created huge inconvenience for our passengers so the decision was taken to depart.”
The aircraft took off without refuelling “around 11.30pm”, according to Brown and touched down in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo to refuel.
“We felt the decision was also in the interests of Sydney and New South Wales,” he said. “We have produced a report and we hope common sense will prevail. We just have to wait and see.”
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is analysing Emirates’ explanation into the curfew breach, which carries a maximum fine of $550,000.
It is believed the department has also raised other breaches by Emirates although Brown insisted special dispensation had been given on previous occasions.
The issue will again raise the debate over the strict nature of Sydney’s curfew. The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) submitted a report in December urging “increased dispensation parameters…to include weather and technical events” (Travel Today, December 20).
“Such a measure will reduce the risk profile of Sydney Airport among some carriers in terms of being grounded or passengers missing connections due to the curfew,” the TTF said in its submission to the NSW Industry Action Plan.
NSW Tourism Industry Council also called for a review and argued that a change to “outdated” legislation is needed if tourist arrival targets are to be hit.
General manager Andrew Jefferies said: “It is simply absurd that carriers are not given dispensation to depart after the curfew in the event of weather related delays particularly when thunderstorms drastically reduce or stop aircraft movements altogether.”
A relaxation of the regulations was necessary “so that inbound tourists continue to have a positive experience of Sydney, NSW and Australia”.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]