Comments – to be attributed to a Qantas spokesperson
QF568 travelling from Perth to Sydney experienced an issue with the air conditioning system that affected the ability to maintain pressure in the cabin.
Following standard procedure, the crew descended to 10,000 feet and were able to restart the system and diverted to Melbourne.
The aircraft landed normally in Melbourne and customers are being transferred to the first available services to Sydney.
We thank the crew for their professionalism and passengers for their patience and understanding through this issue.
Background
Standard procedure when there is an issue with cabin pressurisation is to descend to 10,000 feet where pressurisation is no longer required. If there is a pressurisation issue, oxygen masks are deployed.
The aircraft was operated by an Airbus A330 aircraft, which carries up to 297 passengers.
Engineers will be inspecting the aircraft in Melbourne.
#QF568, Perth-Sydney, diverting to Melbourne, squawking 7700. Reason unknown, but scheduling shows a re-departure from MEL at 0730LT.https://t.co/uRsFL6LBBW pic.twitter.com/AkdMtT6k9V
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 13, 2018