Brisbane Airport Closure: Cyclone Alfred Updates & Guide

If you’ve been watching the radar this week, you already know Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been edging closer to the Queensland coast. The big question on many travelers’ minds: is Brisbane Airport closing? Here’s what we know from airport officials, airlines, and government sources — and what you should do if you have a flight booked.

Airport IATA Code: BNE ·
Runways: 2 (Eastern 01R/19L, Western 01L/19R) ·
Annual passenger traffic: ~22 million ·
Official update source: bne.com.au/updates

Six key facts about Brisbane Airport that help put the cyclone disruption in context.

Is the Brisbane Airport open?

Current operational status

• Brisbane Airport operates 24/7 but may close or suspend flights during severe weather. As of the latest official update, the airport remains open but with significant weather delays. On Thursday 6 March 2025, Brisbane Airport announced that all domestic and international departures and arrivals would be suspended from 4:00 PM AEST, with terminals remaining open only for aero-medical and defence force flights if safe (FCM Travel reporting Brisbane Airport updates). The University of Queensland travel page confirmed that operations would continue until the last scheduled airline service that day, expected around 4:00 PM (UQ Travel).

How to check real-time updates

• Official updates are published on the Brisbane Airport website (bne.com.au/updates). The airport also posts operational updates on its X/Twitter account @BrisbaneAirport. Flyers should check their airline’s app or website rather than heading to the terminal.

Is Brisbane Airport closing for Cyclone Alfred?

Tropical Cyclone Alfred trajectory and impact

• Tropical Cyclone Alfred developed in the Coral Sea in late February 2026 and approached the Queensland coast in early March 2026 (Wikipedia event summary). While the exact closure duration remains unclear, the airport stated it would monitor conditions and could suspend operations if wind speeds exceeded safety thresholds. According to Wikipedia, Gold Coast Airport also closed at 4:00 PM on 6 March 2025 (Wikipedia).

Official statements from airport

• Brisbane Airport released an operational update confirming the suspension of flights from the afternoon of 6 March. Travelers were told not to come to the airport unless their airline specifically advised them to do so (FCM Travel).

Will Cyclone Alfred affect flights?

Flight cancellations and delays

• Yes, Cyclone Alfred caused widespread flight cancellations across southeast Queensland. Virgin Australia suspended all flights from Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina airports and later resumed services on Sunday 9 March 2025 after safety checks. Specifically, Virgin Australia resumed Brisbane flights from 10:00 AM AEST, Gold Coast from 12:20 PM AEST, Sunshine Coast from 8:45 AM AEST, and Ballina from 12:35 PM AEDT on 9 March (Virgin Australia official update). FCM Travel reported that Qantas and Jetstar also resumed operations on 9 March to those airports, with schedules progressively building through the day (FCM Travel). However, flooding at Hervey Bay airport forced Qantas and Jetstar to suspend operations there for the rest of 9 March, pending assessment on 10 March (FCM Travel).

Airline policies for rebooking

• Virgin Australia offered flexible rebooking: guests travelling to or from Ballina, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast between Tuesday 4 March and Sunday 16 March 2025 inclusive could move to a new date within 14 days free of charge, or cancel for a travel credit (Virgin Australia policy). The airline extended this cyclone travel flex window based on meteorology advice and continued impacts from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred (Virgin Australia).

Are there flights out of Brisbane?

Current flight schedule

• After the suspension on 6 March, flights resumed from Brisbane Airport on Sunday 9 March. Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar all restarted operations that day. However, some flights may still be operating depending on the airline. The advice from UQ Travel is clear: speak directly to your airline and do not travel to the airport for cancelled flights (UQ Travel).

How to find alternative flights

• Use flight tracking tools such as FlightStats or the airline’s own app. Check alternative airports (Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast) but note that those also experienced closures and resumptions. Compare rebooking options — Virgin Australia’s 14-day free rebooking window may offer the most flexibility for affected passengers.

The trade-off: waiting for a later flight might be safer than scrambling for an alternative route that could also be cancelled. For passengers stuck in Brisbane, staying put and rebooking was often the smartest move.

What happens at Brisbane Airport during a storm?

Safety measures and passenger guidance

• When severe weather threatens, Brisbane Airport implements safety protocols including suspending airside operations, securing ground equipment, and advising passengers to stay away. During Cyclone Alfred, the airport remained open for emergency services but urged travelers not to come to the terminal. According to UQ Travel, passengers were told to speak directly to their airlines and not to travel to the airport for cancelled flights (UQ Travel).

Common disruptions

• Besides flight cancellations, passengers should expect: long lines at customer service desks, limited food and retail options if terminals are open, and potential road closures around the airport. The Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au) provides real-time weather warnings that affect airport operations.

Step-by-step guide: What to do when your flight is cancelled due to Cyclone Alfred

1. Check your airline’s website or app before heading to the airport. Do not go unless your airline tells you to.
2. Contact your airline via phone, chat, or social media to rebook or request a refund. Most airlines offer flexible rebooking during cyclones (Virgin Australia policy).
3. Check travel insurance — many policies cover weather-related cancellations. Keep receipts for any expenses (accommodation, meals) while stranded.
4. Monitor official sources: Brisbane Airport (bne.com.au/updates), Smartraveller (smartraveller.gov.au), Bureau of Meteorology (bom.gov.au).
5. Plan for delays — even after flights resume, schedules may be disrupted for several days. Stay flexible.

“Travellers were urged not to go to Brisbane Airport after the suspension notice unless their airline advised them to do so.”

— FCM Travel (corporate travel management firm reporting Brisbane Airport updates)

“Virgin Australia has resumed operations in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Ballina on Sunday 9 March 2025 after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred passed and after conducting safety checks.”

— Virgin Australia (airline official update)

“Speak directly to your airlines and do not travel to the airport for cancelled flights.”

— UQ Travel (University of Queensland travel advice for staff and students)

“Gold Coast Airport and Ballina Airport were reported closed in the cyclone disruption updates issued on 6 March 2025.”

— FCM Travel (reporting closure status of regional airports)

Related reading: Bomb Cyclone NSW – Floods, Winds and Outages Explained

Frequently asked questions

For Queensland travellers caught in Cyclone Alfred’s path, the decision is clear: stay informed through official channels (Brisbane Airport, Bureau of Meteorology), follow your airline’s guidance, and avoid unnecessary travel to disrupted zones. The airport will reopen fully once it’s safe — but your safety comes first.