Frustrated passengers have received an apology from Qantas after they were forced to sleep at Geraldton Airport overnight, rather than flying to Perth.

Heavy fog caused chaos for nearly half a dozen flights, two of which were forced to land at Geraldton but couldn’t leave because the crew had clocked too many hours.

Meanwhile, three other flights from Canberra, Adelaide and Port Hedland were also diverted to airports across WA but did manage to get to Perth.

LISTEN 👇 to Kim detail the debacle at Geraldton Airport 

One customer who slept at Geraldton, Kim, told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast that passengers slept on the floor at the airport in six-degree weather and lashed Qantas over its lack of communication.

Qantas statement to 6PR:

“A number of flights were diverted away from Perth overnight due to fog around the airport making it unsafe to land.

“The crew on two flights that had diverted to Geraldton were unable to continue to Perth due to reaching the limit on the hours they can work.

“We attempted to find last minute accommodation for all customers of these flights but unfortunately due to a shortage of available hotel rooms, customers stayed in the airport terminal overnight.

“We apologise to these customers and we thank them for their understanding. We know this would have been an uncomfortable night but the conditions were not safe to land in Perth and our crew couldn’t safely continue once the fog had lifted.

“Customers will travel to Perth this morning.”