Why a QantasLink E190 Fuel Leak Grounded Flight QF1838 at Launceston

December 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM•3 min read

QantasLink E190 flight QF1838 from Launceston to Brisbane was cancelled on Boxing Day after a fuel leak on the tarmac, causing passenger disruption during the busy summer travel surge.

Key Points

1QantasLink E190 flight QF1838 was cancelled on Boxing Day due to a fuel leak at Launceston Airport.
2The incident occurred at 7:25pm, forcing passengers to disembark before departure.
3Airport and airline teams followed strict Australian safety protocols for containment and cleanup, allowing the aircraft to return to service quickly.
4The cancellation caused passenger disruption during Launceston Airport's forecast busiest summer, expecting a 22% surge in travelers.

Holiday travel plans were interrupted for many passengers. Qantas flight QF1838 was cancelled on Boxing Day. The QantasLink E190 fuel leak occurred at Launceston Airport. Fuel began spilling onto the tarmac at 7:25pm. This happened just before the flight was scheduled to depart for Brisbane. Passengers were safely disembarked from the stationary aircraft.

A spokesperson for Qantas confirmed the incident. They noted the fuel spill occurred prior to departure. Airline teams followed all required procedures. Airport services quickly cleaned up the spill area. Qantas apologized for the impact on its customers. Passengers were rebooked on the first available services. Engineers inspected the regional jet. The aircraft, an Embraer E190, has since returned to service.

Safety Response and Procedures

Fuel leaks on the tarmac pose a significant safety risk. Flammable aviation fuel creates a fire and explosion hazard. Australian aviation safety protocols are strict. They mandate immediate containment and clean-up. All spills, regardless of volume, must be reported. Procedures often involve four stages: Control, Containment, Contact, and Clean. For large spills, a 15-meter exclusion zone is established. This prevents any potential ignition sources. The quick response by airport and airline staff is critical. It ensures the safety of all ground personnel and passengers. Such incidents highlight the importance of maintenance checks. Global regulators like EASA emphasize rigorous maintenance standards.

Impact on Peak Summer Travel

The Launceston Airport cancellation occurred during a peak period. Launceston Airport (LST) forecasts its busiest summer season ever. More than 250,000 travelers are expected over the holidays. Passenger numbers are forecast to surge 22 per cent. This surge is expected between December 2025 and February 2026. Boxing Day was already one of the busiest travel days. It had 6,410 passengers booked for travel.

This single regional jet incident caused major disruption. It underscores the fragility of the aviation network. Even minor technical faults can cause significant delays. This is especially true during high-demand periods. Launceston Airport is preparing for its record busiest day. This is forecast for Friday, January 23. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar have all increased services. This is to manage the expected summer travel surge. For more commercial aviation news and industry analysis, visit flying.flights.

Key Details

QantasLink E190 flight QF1838 was grounded due to a fuel leak.
The incident occurred on Boxing Day at Launceston Airport.
Airline and airport teams followed strict Australian aviation safety procedures for cleanup.
The cancellation impacted travel during LST's forecast busiest summer on record.