WA:Qantas works to clear storm backlog in WA

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2011
WA:Qantas works to clear storm backlog in WA

PERTH, Dec 7 AAP - Qantas is battling to clear a backlog of thousands of passengers
waiting for planes and luggage after thunderstorms in Perth caused many flights to be
cancelled or delayed.

In a rarity for Perth, the city was hit with lightning and thunder on Tuesday, when
the city recorded its wettest December day in 28 years.

Around 8000 passengers were affected but a Qantas spokeswoman said that number had
decreased by Wednesday afternoon.

She said the backlog of passengers delayed on Tuesday should be cleared by Wednesday
evening, and there were hopes normal service would resume on Thursday.

"We are doing our best to clear all our disrupted passengers and we are keeping them
up to date in the terminal," she said.

About 25.8mm of rain fell on Perth between 9am and 5.30pm (WST) on Tuesday.

Power was cut to homes, traffic was brought to a standstill in some flooded roads and
planes were stranded for hours at Perth Airport.

Up to 20 planes were parked on the tarmac due to lightning strikes. Passengers were
forced to wait several hours on aircraft or inside the terminal.

People on a flight from Melbourne were stuck on the plane for more than six hours because
of Tuesday's bad weather.

Those travelling on Wednesday are still advised to check the Qantas website before
going to the airport. However, passengers travelling on Thursday are advised to go to
the airport as normal.

The storms, though spectacular, caused little damage.

The State Emergency Service responded to about 20 call-outs in the metropolitan area,
mostly for minor water damage to properties.

More than 12,000 homes were without power on Tuesday afternoon.

During the storm, one plane was struck by lightning as it approached Perth Airport.

It landed about 1.30pm (WST) without incident.

AAP anr/tab/de

KEYWORD: STORMS WA WRAP

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