Aerobridge hits Qantas plane at Sydney Airport, damaging engine, delaying flight

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Images posted on social media show one of the plane’s engines pierced by the aerobridge’s support beam.

PHOTO: CYBR-FLAMINGO VIA REDDIT/R/AVIATION

A Qantas flight from Sydney to Johannesburg was delayed by 21 hours on July 12 after an aerobridge struck the aircraft during ground operations, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.

The incident took place at Sydney Airport’s international terminal, where Qantas flight QF 63 was preparing to depart for South Africa’s largest city at 9.30am local time (7.30am Singapore time).

During the process, an aerobridge hit the Airbus A380 at its departure gate, according to reports.

The aerobridge functions as a movable walkway. It can extend, retract and pivot to align perfectly with different aircraft doors, allowing passengers to board and disembark efficiently.

Images posted on social media show one of the Airbus A380’s four Rolls-Royce engines pierced by the aerobridge’s support beam.

No injuries were reported. Passengers on board were safely disembarked from the lower deck of the double-decker aircraft, Qantas said.

According to a report by Australian broadcaster ABC News, the national carrier said it would provide overnight accommodation and transport in Sydney to passengers affected by the delay, if required.

The flight, which typically takes about 15 hours to reach Johannesburg, was carrying about three-quarters of its capacity of more than 480 passengers, ABC reported.

It is now expected to depart at 6.30am local time on July 13 instead.

Engineers are currently assessing the damage, and the aircraft will be repaired before it re-enters service with the airline’s international fleet.

Sydney Airport said it