UPDATE: A Qantas flight traveling from Singapore to Melbourne was forced to divert to Adelaide early today due to serious pressurization issues. The incident left 240 passengers stranded in South Australia, with many hoping to reach their holiday destinations before Christmas.
The flight, designated QF36, took off from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) at 7:30 PM on December 23, 2023, and was scheduled to land at Melbourne Airport (MEL) at 6:15 AM on December 24. However, approximately 30 minutes before the expected landing, the crew informed passengers of the technical issues and the need to divert.
At around 5:00 AM, the aircraft circled above the St. Vincent Gulf as pilots assessed their options before landing safely at Adelaide International Airport (ADL). This was not classified as an emergency landing, but the situation caused significant disruption for those onboard, many of whom were returning home for the Christmas festivities.
Passengers reported that communication from the flight crew was minimal during the incident, which added to the distress. Many travelers were eager to attend the Boxing Day Cricket Test in Melbourne, intensifying the urgency of their travel plans. Fortunately, Qantas acted swiftly, rebooking affected passengers onto replacement flights to Melbourne.
The aircraft remained grounded at Adelaide for over 24 hours, before being scheduled to return to Melbourne under flight QF6004 at 10:05 AM on December 25, landing at 11:40 AM. As of now, the Airbus A330-200 remains on the ground in Melbourne, with no further flights scheduled.
The diverted aircraft, registered as VH-EBA, has been with Qantas since December 5, 2002, and was previously operated by Jetstar Airways. It is configured to carry up to 271 passengers and is powered by two General Electric engines.
Qantas has a fleet of 16 Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with plans to gradually retire them starting in 2027, as they transition to newer models like the Boeing 787-9.
As this situation develops, further updates from Qantas are expected. Stay tuned for more information as we continue to monitor the impact on travelers hoping to make it home for the holidays.
