Delays expected as Virgin system crashes
By Lisa Martin, AAP Updated August 6, 2013, 7:14 pm
Virgin Australia has warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations to flights on Tuesday night following a worldwide computer glitch which crashed the airline's check in service.
Thousands of frustrated passengers are banked up in queues at Sydney airport with Virgin one of several airlines affected by problems with the Sabre booking and check-in system.
A Virgin spokeswoman said the airline had cancelled 35 flights on its domestic and international network and there were currently delays of up to an hour at airports.
The airline said the temporary outage occurred between 2pm (AEST) and 4pm on Tuesday but the disruptions were expected to continue.
It was working with Sabre to get flight back on track.
"We're working to get it back to normal as soon as possible," the spokeswoman told AAP.
The airline has cancelled flights on Tuesday afternoon and is busily arranging accommodation and new travel plans for stranded passengers.
Among the travellers was NSW south coast resident Beverley King, whose 2pm flight to Cairns, to play squash in Great Barrier Reef Games, was cancelled.
She's been waiting at the airport for nearly six hours.
Asked if the airline was looking after her, Mrs King told AAP: "Oh you've got to be kidding!"
Mrs King has to stay with a friend overnight before making a second trek to the airport on Wednesday.
Insurance agent Bodo Lenitschek was also bound for Cairns after a work training trip in Sydney.
"Things happen, it's frustrating, it's taken too long for them to tell us what's going on," he told AAP.
"The staff are friendly enough but no information is coming through."
Welsh backpacker Richie Morgan was looking forward to a few beers in tropical paradise in far north Queensland with his mates.
"It is what it is," he told AAP.
The airline's provided an $8 meal voucher and staff have been handing out water bottles.
Swiss backpacker Noura Imhof and her group of friends had the best seats in the house, sitting on their bags eating chips and playing with their tablets.
Virgin advised passengers to check its website for updates.
People who miss flights on Tuesday will be provided with a full credit for the cost of the flight and customers will be able to change their flight to the same destination to another service until August 13 for free.
Customers stranded overseas may be eligible for hotel accommodation.
