Jetstar issues at Launceston Airport cause frustration | Video, Poll

The return flight to Melbourne was then cancelled.

Launceston’s Isobel Constable was one of the passengers stuck on the plane.

“We landed safely on the tarmac, but just as we were coasting to the terminal, around the corner at the end of the runway, we came to quite an abrupt stop,” she said.

“I had a window seat, and did notice as we were turning the corner that we were quite close to the grass, closer than normal.

“The captain initially told us that there were some issues and they were troubleshooting and they would keep us updated throughout, which they did.”

She said the mood on the plane was “relatively light hearted” because the captain kept passengers informed with regular updates to make the wait easier.

“We were offered complimentary refreshments which was lovely, but I think at that stage, most of us hadn't been to the toilet in about two-and-a-half- hours, so a few of us turned them down,” Ms Constable said.

“The reason we were waiting so long was because for the first hour, they were troubleshooting the issue and trying to fix the plane, the second hour, we were waiting for the stairs to be bought over from the terminal, and the last half hour we were waiting on a bus to drive up from Launceston, as we were too far away from the terminal to walk back.”

But it was not as lighthearted for passengers whose plane was then cancelled from Launceston to Melbourne.

Ang Williams was due to fly to Darwin via Melbourne and said she was in Tasmania visiting family due to a  bereavement.

She has now missed a day of work, after missing her connection, with a new flight not available until Monday afternoon.

“There was one brief announcement saying our plane was delayed with no estimated departure time then that was all we heard for over an hour,” Ms Williams said.

“A Jetstar staff member walked past a group of people who approached her for information. I overheard her say there was a problem with the plane that had just landed, the plane we were supposed to leave on, and it was stuck down the end of the tarmac with people on it.

“She stated she didn’t know what would happen or if or when we would be advised.”

Ms Williams said no formal announcement was made at Launceston Airport and she received a text message saying her flight had been cancelled.

“Everyone was angry especially by the lack of communication. It seemed ground staff had no idea what was happening or what our alternatives were and to find out via a text message was unprofessional,” she said.

“I tried to get on another Jetstar flight but they filled up so quickly so I had to book with another airline for close to $300 extra and missed a day of work and I was speaking to Jetstar representatives last night and they will only refund my original Jetstar return flight.”

A Jetstar spokesperson said the JQ741 Melbourne to Launceston faced an engineering issue on arrival.

“While taxiing to the terminal from the runway our pilots noticed an issue with the aircraft’s steering,” the spokesperson said.

“The pilots brought the aircraft to a stop on the taxiway and the passengers and crew waited on board until they could safely disembark the aircraft and board a bus to the terminal.”