Chaos at Singapore, London airports after Qantas grounding - ABC Online

Updated October 30, 2011 02:55:53

Hundreds of disgruntled passengers at London's Heathrow airport are trying to make alternative arrangements after Qantas grounded its entire fleet.

The airline announced the grounding of all domestic and international flights on Saturday in response to a protracted industrial dispute with employees.

At Heathrow terminal three, frustrated passengers are trying to make alternative plans.

Some have managed to book flights with alternative airlines, but others are left stranded with no clear alternative.

QF32 was the first of three flights due out of Heathrow on Saturday (local time), but another two in Frankfurt are also on hold.

Passenger Rachel Smith described "chaos" at the Qantas check-in area in an email to ABC News Online.

"Luckily my travel dates are reasonably flexible but I do have work commitments in Sydney, including a business related stopover in Singapore, and re-booking with another airline has not been easy," she wrote.

"I'm now flying with Singapore Airlines in a few days and back at my flat in London to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

"What about all the other poor people not in my position who are stranded in airports around the world? I travel regularly between London and Sydney but won't be flying with Qantas again."

Singapore

The Qantas grounding is also causing chaos at Singapore's Changi airport.

The ABC's Patrick Emmett arrived on an overnight flight from London only to be told that all further flights were cancelled.

Emmett said the pilots and crew appeared just as shocked by the news as passengers, but have been told not to talk to anyone about the details.

With Singapore a hub for many Qantas flights, lots of passengers are now stuck in the terminal as authorities try to arrange flights with other airlines and organise hotel accommodation.

Emmett said there was growing frustration among passengers, with some describing the situation as a disorganised mess.

Topics: air-transport, business-economics-and-finance, company-news, unions, united-kingdom

First posted October 30, 2011 01:56:16