Sydney storm: Stranded travellers frustrated over delays

Storm clouds gather over Sydney Harbour in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

Travellers caught up in flight delays due to wild weather in Sydney have expressed frustration over lack of communication from the airlines involved.

Xtracta chief executive Jonathan Spence, who is based in Auckland and in Australia for business, said eight Jetstar flights had been cancelled from Sydney Airport at the same time, including his flight to Melbourne.

Although weather was to blame, Mr Spence said there was "nothing major it seems here apart from the odd thunder".

The cancellations had resulted in a "huge" queue of around 600 people waiting to rebook, he said.

"The person I was standing next to rang their booking phone number while waiting and found the next available flights were from 12 tomorrow.

"We were at the front of the queue so I suppose it is worse for those behind."

There were only two Jetstar staff helping the crowd of stranded travellers, he said.

"The staff were a bit rude and frustrated towards the passengers such as 'if you can't figure that out I don't know what's wrong with you' when asked to rejoin other queues."

He managed to rebook a flight on Tiger Air.

"Might get a refund from Jetstar but probably not knowing them."

Another stranded passenger, Belinda Paris, was heading to New Zealand to visit family when her Air New Zealand flight to Auckland was cancelled.

This meant she would miss her connecting flight from Auckland to Gisborne.

She said there had been "no initial communication" from the airline and there were some "really annoyed passengers".

The airline had since rebooked her on a new flight to Wellington, but she would have to wait around all day today for an evening flight to Gisborne.

"[Air New Zealand] are putting me up in a hotel in Wellington tonight and a $15 meal voucher," she said.

"Have they seen airport food prices?"

A Kiwi woman named Alison contacted the Herald to say she and her husband were in Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney when a call to evacuate came.

The couple were lining up for a movie just before 1.30pm.

"A storm at 11am had cleared and the weather looked to be easing but as we got off the bus the heavens opened once again," Alison said.

"The glass ceiling on the 6th floor looked strained under the torrent of rain and hail. By the time we got to the top of the escalator to Event Cinemas the noise of the downpour on the roof was so thunderous we had to shout to be heard."

She said it felt "very unnerving" and she was beginning to wonder if the structure was safe.

" ... and at that moment parts of the roof collapsed under the weight. Staff were quick to get emergency barrier tape up and as we, along with hundreds of shoppers, exited via the fire stairs the sounds of wailing sirens arriving added to the eerie atmosphere."

Alison said it was rather exciting, but potentially dangerous.

"Good to be home safe and sound now."