Curtail the Brisbane curfew

The review date for a possible curfew at Brisbane Airport has been brought forward from five to two years, a decision which reeks of blatant political opportunism, particularly as the key federal seats of Griffith and Lilley cover the main approach tracks and the airport.

Any curfew at Brisbane would have serious effects on early morning flights to Sydney and Melbourne from the US and East Asia, which track close to Brisbane and plan on forecasts up to 16 hours old by arrival. If alternate conditions are forecast many will plan a point of no return (PNR) or refuelling stop at Noumea, Nadi or Brisbane. Brisbane, which is rarely closed, is optimal, as the diversion decision can be deferred until an aircraft is much closer to Sydney or Melbourne and destination conditions can be much better assessed. They pass Brisbane from around 4am and it is common to see a large number of diversions lined up by 6am, some overflowing onto taxiways.