- The high demand for tickets caused prices to skyrocket
- The flight was cancelled due to an engineering problem.
- Football fans are now hoping to make it to the final match.
Desperate Port Adelaide football fans face a mad dash to Sydney for Friday’s AFL preliminary final clash after their Qantas flight was cancelled.
The airline has confirmed that QF734 from Adelaide to Sydney was grounded due to an engineering issue. It was scheduled to take off at 10:00am Adelaide time.
It was a disastrous result for Port Adelaide fans, who were forced to pay huge amounts for tickets due to sky-high demand.
Thousands of football fans travel from Adelaide to Sydney, with tickets for the SCG sold out.
Not only are football fans trying to travel en masse across the country, but the finals have also coincided with school holidays across Australia.
“Disaster at Adelaide airport this morning as punters who paid more than $900 to get into the preliminary final saw their flight cancelled,” ABC Sport broadcaster Aaron Bryans posted on Friday.
“It’s a surprise how much they charged them,” one follower responded.
“It can be done in 9 hours by road,” suggested another.
Football fans trying to get to Sydney from Adelaide found their flight cancelled this morning.
Thousands of Port Adelaide fans have been travelling from Adelaide to Sydney this week (pictured) after paying top dollar due to sky-high demand.
Qantas is now working hard to get all stranded passengers back to Sydney.
Stranded fans have been provided with meal vouchers and the airline is working to re-route passengers through alternative airports to reach Sydney.
“All customers have been re-accommodated on the first available services to Sydney, with some passengers travelling to Sydney via Canberra and Melbourne,” the airline confirmed.
‘The majority of affected customers are expected to arrive in Sydney before 3.30pm, with the remainder arriving by 6.45pm.
Kick-off will be at 19.40 at the SCG.
A Qantas flight was scheduled to depart Adelaide for Sydney at 11:00am, while a Virgin flight was scheduled to depart at 11:25am and a Jetstar flight at 12:00pm, all bound for Sydney.
Qantas said an engineering issue was responsible for the cancellation and new flights were being arranged for passengers (file image)
The setback will have left some Power fans panicking over how they will get to the SCG in time for the game (pictured, supporters with Port star Charlie Dixon)
“We understand that this disruption is frustrating and we apologise to passengers for the inconvenience,” a Qantas spokesperson said.
‘Our teams have been working hard to ensure that football fans can return as quickly as possible and all affected customers will arrive in Sydney in time for the match.’
Port Adelaide’s players and coaching staff, along with a legion of supporters, made it safely back to Sydney on Thursday.
Other desperate fans are travelling to Sydney on buses that pass through Melbourne and regional areas on their way to the New South Wales capital.
Port Adelaide booked their place in the preliminary final after a tense three-point win over rising rivals Hawthorn Hawks last week.
Sydney are the current minor premiers and enjoyed the week off after beating city rivals GWS in the first week of the finals.
The winner will advance to the AFL Grand Final, where they will play the winner of the Geelong vs Brisbane clash.
