Cairns Airport has reopened after travel plans were thrown into chaos due to severe weather conditions.
The aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper has continued to batter far north Queensland with a flood emergency forcing Cairns Airport — a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef –
to close on Sunday night.
However, it announced on Tuesday morning its aerodrome is now serviceable for aircraft movements following a huge clean-up effort.
“We are pleased this morning to further confirm that the Cairns Airport runway is clear and serviceable, and we are operational today,” the update on its Facebook page read.
“We met with our airline partners and other key stakeholders a short time ago. Passenger flights will recommence at Cairns Airport this morning.”
It urged passengers with booked flights to contact airlines directly for information about specific flights and scheduling.
“Airlines are determining their own flight operations and schedules.”
“We thank you for your patience and wish to commend our airline partners for their commitment to restoring services to our region as soon as possible.”
News.com.au understands Qantas and Jetstar are resuming services today with both airlines offering flexibility for those who no longer wish to travel, including fee-free refunds, travel credits or date changes.
The reopening comes after an “extensive effort” from the Cairns Airport team, with support from a number of external businesses, who worked on Monday to pump water out, clear and inspect the runway, along with its lighting and infrastructure.
“We have received a number of inquiries from customers who have vehicles parked at Cairns Airport,” the update continued.
“The car parks at our domestic and international terminals were not adversely impacted during the flooding event.”
Photos have since emerged online of planes submerged in floodwaters on the runway at the airport.
A regional flood expert said the current flooding is the highest since records began more than a century ago, as ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper continues to wreak havoc.
James Cook University’s Professor Jonathan Nott told ABC Far North that the flood is now up to 40 per cent higher than the 1977 flood, previously the biggest on record for the region.
“It’s a very, very serious flood,” Professor Nott said.
“1977 was previously the largest flood in the gauge record, and this one has exceeded the 1977 record by around about 30-40 per cent again on top of that, so it’s a very substantial flood.”