Vic: Virgin clearing backlog of stranded passengers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2009
Vic: Virgin clearing backlog of stranded passengers

MELBOURNE, Dec 16 AAP - Virgin Blue has cleared around 80 per cent of the 6,000 passengers
stranded in Melbourne overnight after a damaged telecommunications cable crippled the
airline's computers.

The airline also put on an extra plane to take passengers to Hobart after every seat
on other airlines flying to Tasmanian was filled.

Virgin spokeswoman Amanda Bolger said the recovery, after 48 flights had been cancelled
on Wednesday, was quicker than expected.

A further six flights were cancelled on Wednesday when pilots and crews were stranded overnight.

"It's been a better-than-expected recovery in terms of disruptions we had anticipated,"

Ms Bolger said.

"We called in all available crews to help out - we're doing our best."

A damaged Telstra cable under Melbourne airport brought down the airline's telecommunications
service provider, crippling its passenger check-in process from lunchtime on Tuesday and
forcing the cancellation of 48 flights.

Ms Bolger says the airline found hotel accommodation for several hundred passengers
and handed out thousands of food vouchers.

She did not want to say if Virgin would be seeking compensation from Telstra, saying
the main focus was to get the remaining passengers to their destinations around Australia.

"Most people understand it was a Telstra cable issue - we are as frustrated as what
our guests were," Ms Bolger said.

AAP jxt/pmu/jl

KEYWORD: VIRGIN UPDATE

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