Eight-hour closure after rare lightning strike hits Brisbane Airport runway
A lightning strike during severe thunderstorms punched several hand-sized holes in Brisbane Airport's western runway and forced an 8-hour closure.
A lightning strike hit the centre of Brisbane Airport's western runway on Tuesday at 3.11pm as severe thunderstorms battered southeast Queensland. The strike was extremely rare, with the airport saying such damage to the tarmac has not happened there in at least 30 years.
Engineers assessed the damage, cut out the affected sections, and re-asphalted the runway overnight to fill the holes. The western runway was closed for about eight hours.
Flights continued using the eastern runway throughout repairs. Some passengers experienced hour-long delays and overnight accommodation changes.
- 3.11pm Tuesday
- Strike time
- 8 hours
- Closure duration
- At least 30 years
- Last similar damage
- Rod Macbeth
- Head of Facilities
Why it mattersRare weather events can disrupt transport. The quick repair shows airport infrastructure can be restored quickly after damage, limiting disruption.
AustraliaBrisbane Airport disruption affects travellers and flights across Queensland and Australia. The event shows how extreme weather can briefly threaten major airport operations.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
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