Perth Airport: Mass flight cancellations and delays at major airport over fuel supply problem - with travellers stuck for hours

There have been mass flight cancellations and delays at a major Australian airport on Saturday, with travellers stuck for hours over a fuel supply problem.

Nine international and five domestic flights at Perth Airport have been cancelled and more are expected to be, with airlines told that incoming flights will not be able to refuel when they get there.

A Perth Airport spokesperson said the planes can't refuel because of an issue with load pressure in the fuel lines.

'Perth Airport is experiencing a significant issue with its fuel supply system which is having a major impact on flight operations,' the spokesperson said.

Disgruntled passenger Natalie Forrest said she had 'been stuck at Perth Airport since midnight waiting to fly out - seems ridiculous they don't have a back up plan for the fuel issues'.

Another passenger said it was 'Mickey Mouse stuff from @PerthAirport the day after they praise themselves for the Qantas deal.'

The comment referred to a new deal struck between the airport and Qantas for the national carrier to move into a new terminal by 2031, announced this week. 

The airport spokesperson said: 'The issue is causing a lack of pressure in fuel lines and local experts have been working to resolve the issue.

'Aircraft arriving at Perth Airport are currently unable to be refuelled.'

They added: 'Further cancellations are expected and in-bound flights which have not already left their departure points will also be impacted.

'Airlines have been advised not to send aircraft to Perth Airport until further notice unless they have sufficient fuel to make a return flight.

'Passengers are being urged to contact their airlines for information about their flights.'

The airport spokesperson said, 'Perth Airport apologises for the inconvenience to passengers and our airline partners.'

Some affected turned to using foul language to express their disgust at what happened. 

'It's 2024 and Perth airport has caused every international flight to be delayed hours or cancelled because they have a leak in a fuel hose,' one wrote.

'Who the f*** runs this joint sack them.'

A flight board from the airport shows flights to Singapore, Bali, Manila, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City either delayed or cancelled from Terminal 1 alone.

People also expressed their anger and rage on Perth Airport's Facebook page. 

One said it was a case of 'WA living up to its name … Wait Awhile…

'(My) daughter was on the tarmac at 1.05 am this morning for nearly 3 hours before being allowed to disembark !! pathetic.

'Feel for those people with connecting flights! Brilliant organisation skills!!'

Another wrote that 'My parents have to wait another 15 hours to get Adelaide. What a shame! Not even mentioned the goods may get damaged. 

'Who gonna take responsibility for this?'

Others wrote about the long process leading up to their flight eventually being cancelled.

One said they 'stood in the rows for hours, to get food voucher 1.5 hrs, to get food 1.5 hrs, then they said oh the flight is cancelled, please go home or to a hotel (like you can just ring the bell and get a room)...' 

'Shame shame shame...just to get out to claim our luggage took hours, and the walk to Malaysian airlines counter and wait forever for hotel and taxi vouchers and after that someone will pop up and say you might as well take a taxi or book a hotel and it can be reimbursed...

'No names mentioned whose gonna pay?'