Taylor Swift fans in Queensland and Victoria are devastated after crucial flights were canceled and postponed due to a ‘major storm’ ahead of the artist’s first show in Sydney.
Flights were halted due to a severe thunderstorm with heavy rain, devastating winds and ‘giant’ hail that was expected to hit Sydney Airport on Friday afternoon – just hours before Swift was due to take the stage.
The singer’s performance in front of an audience of 80,000 at Accor Stadium will be the first of four consecutive sold-out shows from Friday to Monday.
Jetstar canceled the 5pm and 7.30pm flights from Brisbane, while Virgin canceled two flights: the 4.05pm and 7.35pm flights.
Another three flights from Brisbane to Sydney were cancelled, while passengers on another two flights were warned of massive delays.
Taylor Swift fans in Queensland and Victoria are devastated after crucial flights were canceled and delayed due to a ‘major storm’ ahead of the artist’s first show in Sydney
Three flights from the Gold Coast to Sydney were also canceled after a second storm was forecast over the city on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Qantas canceled four of its flights from Melbourne bound for Sydney Airport.
However, the national carrier deployed its A380 to ensure its passengers arrived in the port city in time for Swift’s concert.
“The A380 will be able to carry 485 passengers, the equivalent of almost three Boeing 737 flights that normally fly this route,” Qantas said in a statement.
“While this would normally be used to support our international network on flights to places like London and LA, given the incredibly high demand for Sydney today, it is being deployed to support the domestic operation.”
Qantas customers who were unable to board the Airbus were rebooked onto the airline’s other services.
The Airbus left Melbourne at 5pm and arrived at Sydney International Terminal at 6.40pm.
A fan told ABC Radio Brisbane Breakfast she spent $700 on last-minute flights after her flight from Brisbane to Sydney was cancelled.
“I woke up this morning to an email from Virgin saying my flight was canceled this afternoon,” said Swift fan Megan.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, heavy rain and ‘gigantic’ hail for Sydney and surrounding areas at 1.57pm on Friday (pictured)
Swift’s first concert was postponed by about 20 minutes on Friday evening, with fans having to be evacuated as lightning struck just 6 miles away
“When I called them, they did say that (the storm) was the reason for the cancellation.”
Megan frantically booked a last-minute flight after discovering the airline had rebooked her for a trip to Sydney on Sunday – despite having tickets for Saturday night’s concert in her possession.
‘I have had to rebook flights with Qantas for tomorrow morning for almost double the price I originally paid for them. They cost $700 one way for tomorrow,” she said.
Swift’s first concert was postponed by about 20 minutes on Friday evening, with fans having to be evacuated as lightning struck just 6 miles away.
Her opening act Sabrina Carpenter was skipped and Swift took the stage around 7:50 PM.
Fans seated on the ground and lower bowl levels of Accor Stadium were asked to go inside after lightning struck shortly before 6pm.
Timmerman was scheduled to start at 6:20 PM and Swift was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM.