Virgin cancellations to help clear flight backlog after computer glitch, Virgin Australia says 30 "strategic cancellations" have helped put a dent in a major flight backlog, after a worldwide computer glitch crashed the airline's check in service.
Thousands of frustrated passengers were banked up in queues at Sydney and Melbourne airports on Tuesday with Virgin one of several airlines affected by problems with the Sabre booking and check-in system.
By Wednesday morning, Virgin's domestic and international services had largely returned to normal, although three of the day's flights were cancelled as part of the company's move to minimise the disruption to travellers, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman said.
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"We are on schedule today; there may be some flights that have minor delays, but aside from that we are on schedule," she said.
Cancelled flights for Wednesday include the 9am Melbourne to Sydney service and Sydney to Brisbane flights at 7.30am and 8.30pm.
Virgin Australia and Sabre, the company responsible for the airline's online check-in system, would continue exploring the cause of the glitch, the spokeswoman said.
"We're working closely with them and worked with them through yesterday," she said.
An Etihad Airways spokesman also confirmed its services were returned to normal, with "no disruptions" expected Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a Virgin spokeswoman said the airline had cancelled 30 flights across its domestic and international network to help reduce delays on remaining services.
"There's been a lot of progress," she said.
"(But) there are still some delays."
The airline is busily arranging accommodation and new travel plans for stranded passengers.
Among the travellers was NSW south coast resident Beverley King, whose 2pm flight from Sydney to Cairns, to play squash in Great Barrier Reef Games, was cancelled.
Asked if the airline was looking after her, Mrs King said: "Oh you've got to be kidding!"
Mrs King was due 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 said.
"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 said.
The airline has 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.
Thousands of frustrated passengers were banked up in queues at Sydney and Melbourne airports on Tuesday with Virgin one of several airlines affected by problems with the Sabre booking and check-in system.
By Wednesday morning, Virgin's domestic and international services had largely returned to normal, although three of the day's flights were cancelled as part of the company's move to minimise the disruption to travellers, a Virgin Australia spokeswoman said.
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"We are on schedule today; there may be some flights that have minor delays, but aside from that we are on schedule," she said.
Cancelled flights for Wednesday include the 9am Melbourne to Sydney service and Sydney to Brisbane flights at 7.30am and 8.30pm.
Virgin Australia and Sabre, the company responsible for the airline's online check-in system, would continue exploring the cause of the glitch, the spokeswoman said.
"We're working closely with them and worked with them through yesterday," she said.
An Etihad Airways spokesman also confirmed its services were returned to normal, with "no disruptions" expected Wednesday.
On Tuesday, a Virgin spokeswoman said the airline had cancelled 30 flights across its domestic and international network to help reduce delays on remaining services.
"There's been a lot of progress," she said.
"(But) there are still some delays."
The airline is busily arranging accommodation and new travel plans for stranded passengers.
Among the travellers was NSW south coast resident Beverley King, whose 2pm flight from Sydney to Cairns, to play squash in Great Barrier Reef Games, was cancelled.
Asked if the airline was looking after her, Mrs King said: "Oh you've got to be kidding!"
Mrs King was due 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 said.
"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 said.
The airline has 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.
