Queensland airports close as cyclone hits

Australia's northern Queensland airports are closed due to extreme weather conditions caused by tropical cyclone Yasi. Cairns and Townsville airports closed at 10:00 on 02-Feb-2011 after evacuation services departed, Whitsunday Coast Airport closed in the evening and Hamilton Island Airport closed at 15.00. Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue have suspended service to the region until 04-Feb-2011.