Two Qantas flights turned back to Sydney

Melbourne, Australia - November 19, 2012: Qantas Airways Airbus A380 registered VH-OQF takes off as QF93 to Los Angeles (LAX) from Melbourne International Airport at Tullamarine, Victoria.

Qantas copped a bout of bad luck last Friday, after not one but two flights were turned back to Sydney due to aircraft issues.

Both planes were forced to dump fuel in order to return and land in their home port.

Qantas flight QF 7 from Sydney to Dallas was forced back to Sydney International Airport at 4:38pm AEST, after it was discovered the flaps on the aircraft (attached to the wings) were unable to retract, meaning the aircraft can’t fly efficiently.

A Qantas spokesperson said, “As the Dallas flight is our longest on the network, the captain made the decision to return to Sydney.

“The aircraft – an Airbus A380 – will be inspected by engineers.”

The plane was met by firetrucks on the runway, as a safety precaution.

Meanwhile, Qantas flight QF 63 from Sydney to Johannesburg also needed to return to Sydney due to a cracked pane of glass on the aircraft windscreen.

The spokesperson stated, “An aircraft windscreen is made up of three layers of glass, the outer pane had cracked but did not compromise the integrity of the aircraft.

“The aircraft was safe to continue to Johannesburg but the captain made the decision to return as the windscreen will be replaced at Qantas’ engineering base in Sydney.

“The aircraft – Boeing 747-400 landed safely and without incident.”

Qantas on Friday was then tasked with the mammoth job of accommodating passengers or transporting them home, before arranging replacement flights.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority (CASA) told The Guardian it was standard for long-haul flights that were forced to land earlier than expected to dump fuel, in order to reduce weight so the aircraft could land safely.

You can see the Dallas-bound flight dumping fuel from the window here:

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

qantas

Latest News

  • Aviation
  • Luxury

Airlines Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800

Join me on my personal review of the iconic Singapore Airlines’ A380-800 business class cabin. Singapore Airlines is renowned for its luxurious and spacious seating in any class, it’s sleek and fine interior reflects a sophisticated yet relaxed charm, promising instant luxury the minute you board. The configuration in business class is 1, 2, 1 […]

  • Aviation

South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen

South African Airways will fly across the Indian Ocean for the first time since the pandemic today when the first of its relaunched Johannesburg to Perth flights touches down today. The South African Airways flights will connect 40,000 more passengers per year in each direction, between Perth and Johannesburg using Airbus A340-300s. Flight Centre Corporate […]

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Aviation

Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport

Emirates has unveiled a glimpse of its future with the news of a new base at  Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai overnight. Also referred to as the Dubai World Central, the airport is undergoing an AUD $53.3b refurbishment. Once complete, it will become the city’s main international hub with five parallel runways and 400 […]

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]