MELBOURNE– QantasLink (QF), the regional subsidiary of Qantas, operating a flight to Melbourne Airport (MEL), was forced to return to Mildura Airport (MQL) following a technical issue shortly after departure on Tuesday morning (July 22, 2025).
Flight QF2079, which was operated by a Dash 8 Q400 turboprop and carried 59 passengers, departed Mildura at approximately 10:40 AM local time. The aircraft circled the area before landing safely just before noon as a result of a suspected flap malfunction.
Photo: Mitchell R Hope | FlickrQantasLink Mildura to Melbourne Flight Emergency Landing
A technical irregularity was detected by the flight crew of QantasLink QF2079 shortly after departure. Passengers subsequently cited the issue as a flap malfunction.
During the assessment of the situation, the pilots notified air traffic control and initiated a holding pattern near Mildura (MQL) in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, and the Country Fire Authority were preemptively dispatched to the airport following the QantasLink flight’s communication with air traffic control. Fortunately, emergency services weren’t required when the flight landed at Mildura airport.
The Q400 made a safe and uneventful landing in Mildura, with no injuries reported among the crew or passengers. A Qantas spokesperson stated that the airline’s pilots are highly trained and capable of handling such situations.
The airline’s spokesperson also conveyed that the company is aware of this being an unsettling experience for customers and that Qantas appreciates its customers’ understanding.
Photo: By Bidgee – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72800554QantasLink QF2079 Inflight Experience
One of the passengers characterised the in-flight event as professionally managed and calm. The traveller stated that the pilot notified passengers that the flaps were stuck, prompting the return to Mildura rather than continuing to Melbourne.
The aircraft circled the airport for approximately an hour before returning to Mildura for landing. Passengers noted the Qantas crew’s accommodating and helpful attitude during this short but eventful flight.
QantasLink flight QF2079 was operated by a Bombardier Dash 8 Q400, a regional turboprop aircraft commonly used by the airline for its short-haul services.
Bombardier has equipped the Q400 with robust safety systems, and they are operated by well-qualified pilots who are trained to handle any technical emergency.
Photo: James St. John | FlickrAdherence to Protocols and Passenger Safety
This incident emphasises the stringent safety protocols that regional carriers, including QantasLink (QF), adhere to.
The flight crew’s prompt decision to return to Mildura and the calm handling of the situation by the cabin crew guaranteed that passengers were kept informed and safe throughout the flight.
Modern aircraft like the Dash 8 Q400 feature state-of-the-art systems that enable pilots to promptly identify and address technical issues during flight.
Despite the rarity of such incidents, QantasLink remains steadfast in its dedication to safety as its top priority.
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