STUCK ... A Jetstar official explains the situation to passengers booked on a cancelled flight from Hobart Airport last night.
Airline glitch strands hundreds
ANNE MATHER
October 06, 2008 12:00am
HUNDREDS of people were left stranded last night when Jetstar was forced to cancel four Tasmanian flights.
A glitch in Jetstar's computer system caused delays nationwide, with Tasmania worst affected.
The airline cancelled a return flight between Sydney and Hobart and a return flight between Sydney and Launceston – a total of four flights.
Passengers were waiting at Hobart Airport for hours late last night while staff organised alternative flights.
The passengers, many angry and frustrated, were told they might not be able to find an alternative flight until late today or tomorrow. The Sydney-bound flight from Hobart, a full jet due to take 177 passengers, was heavily booked because of a national dance championship in Hobart and the conclusion of school holidays interstate.
One woman waiting in the chaos at Hobart Airport said she would miss her best friend's wedding today because of the cancellation.
Gill McGillivray, from Bombala in New South Wales, said she was due to be at her friend's wedding at 11am today.
"I am really disappointed," she said. "I can't believe it."
Ms McGillivray, 32, said she had been best friends with the bride for 20 years.
She said she had been bushwalking through the state and had cut her holiday plans short to be back in time for the wedding, on NSW's Central Coast.
Some passengers said they were pleased Jetstar was arranging a night's accommodation in Hobart.
Marie Mellon, from Dorrigo in northern NSW, said she had been in Hobart with her three sisters for the national Irish dancing competition.
Ms Mellon said she was grateful Jetstar was looking after them, but it was disappointing she would have to cancel her train connection to Dorrigo.
Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway said the power outage occurred about 1pm.
Mr Westaway said computer problems forced staff to deal with reservations and check-ins manually, causing long delays.
"Flights had to go manual check-in over a two to three hour period," he said.
"The manual process is a lot more cumbersome".
He said Jetstar was investigating the outage and was sorry for cancellations.
Mr Westaway said local passengers were asked to go home and Jetstar was finding alternative accommodation for people from interstate.
Passengers left waiting at Hobart Airport were told they could not fly to Sydney because Sydney Airport had an 11pm curfew.
Sydney woman Miranda Harman said it was the second time one of her Jetstar flights had been cancelled.
"I had a flight from Sydney to Launceston cancelled two years ago," she said.
The mother was travelling with her two daughters, aged five and two, and husband.
She said her husband was due back at work in Sydney today.
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