Is this connection do-able in MEL ?

Mr DL is flying back tomorrow and was contacted a couple of hours ago by VA to advise that because of the awful weather expected in SYD tomorrow he’s been re-routed ( from CAN) via MEL to make the connection up to HKG. His connection time has gone from 3.5 hours to 65 minutes . Anyone connected onto an international flight from a domestic flight at MEL ? I’ve spoken to VS who offered a move to CX ( for the flight up to HKG) but the connection time isn’t much better.
It’s all on one PNR booked with VS / VA He’s been booked into Y on the CAN - MEL leg (as the flight is now rammed ) so I can’t see him making a speedy exit once he arrives in MEL and he’ll still need to clear customs/ immigration ( and he has bags ....).
If he misses his connection ( onto the VS202) what will his options be ?
Bit stressed here .....
DL

I had to look up CAN ( I thought it was Canberra but it's Guangzhou in China)

Why aren't they just flying him fro Guangzhou to HKG rather then the strange routing of CAN-MEL-HKG. which according to google flights is an hour compared to 2 x 10 hour flights on the latter.

I had to look up CAN ( I thought it was Canberra but it's Guangzhou in China)

Why aren't they just flying him fro Guangzhou to HKG rather then the strange routing of CAN-MEL-HKG. which according to google flights is an hour compared to 2 x 10 hour flights on the latter.

My bad Tonty - he is in Canberra . Like I said I’m a bit stressed....
DL

My only thought is - why would he need to clear immigration and customs at MEL if he is arriving on a domestic flight? I do not know Melbourne airport at all but could it be a case of leaving one plane and going to the next?

I only know it from Trip Reports I've watched, but I had the impression that the Domestic and International terminals were totally discreet and you couldn't transit airside?

My only thought is - why would he need to clear immigration and customs at MEL if he is arriving on a domestic flight? I do not know Melbourne airport at all but could it be a case of leaving one plane and going to the next?

No, because he’s connecting on to an international flight ( so leaving the country) . He can’t clear immigration/ customs in Canberra, only at the international departure point ( he’s had the same issue on entry into Oz where he’s had to clear immigration and customs at first point of entry into the country despite having onward flights all on one PNR) .MEL airport is reasonably compact but I’ve no experience of transitting there as a domestic to international passenger ( and he doesn’t have much time) . The VS agent I spoke with earlier ( and who was fantastic) said it was the absolute minimum allowable ( but which didn’t mean it was do -able)
If he misses the connection will VA/VS book him on to another carrier? He’s been away a while and just wants to get home ( and then he’ll do it all over again, and again and again.....)
DL

I didn't know Oz had exit controls where you had to get your passport stamped or equivalent before boarding.

I didn't know Oz had exit controls where you had to get your passport stamped or equivalent before boarding.

Aussies love rules and bureaurcracy .
He made it ( just) . The passengers on his flight from Canberra were instructed to all remain in their seats apart from the 4 passengers connecting to HKG. Gate was closing as he got there.
The rain in SYD today has caused lots and lots of disruption . Although he’s made the flight his bags are only checked to HKG which is a bit of a pain ( and yes he did argue they should be checked to LHR as it was originally all on one PNR but as it was re- ticketed by VA they refused !).
Never mind, he’s on his way .
DL

I've just come back from Oz, landed yesterday.. bizarre wind storm at the tail end of last week that cancelled my flight to Canberra so I opted to stay in Sydney for the extra couple of days.

Glad to hear that he made it out and is on route. VA really should have checked those bags all the way through, don't panic though, flight connections at HKG in my experience have been very easy.

I didn't know Oz had exit controls where you had to get your passport stamped or equivalent before boarding.

They scan your passport and take a photo but that's pretty much it on the way out unless the machine doesn't like you. Then a border officer arrives to take you to the desk for a chat. Up until last year you used to have to fill out a departure card and get a stamp, but they did away with this last January I believe.

You don't even get a stamp on entry any more if a British passport holder on an e-Visa.. it's all computer based these days. A shame actually, I used to like going through my passport stamps to remind myself of where I had been.

You don't even get a stamp on entry any more if a British passport holder on an e-Visa.. it's all computer based these days. A shame actually, I used to like going through my passport stamps to remind myself of where I had been.

Same with NZ - they operate e-Gates and you can just waltz straight through!

Glad to hear that he made it out and is on route. VA really should have checked those bags all the way through, don't panic though, flight connections at HKG in my experience have been very .

Just spoken with him - he cleared immgration to collect his bags to find no luggage there . Lost baggage scanned his receipt and told him tagged to LHR so he’s spitting feathers !!
He said the flight up was very good though.
Hope all is well with you Joey
DL