MACKAY: Mackay Airport was a chaotic scene yesterday morning afterTiger Airways cancelled its Mackay to Melbourne flight.

Hundreds of travellers were stranded in Mackay and Melbourne afterTiger cancelled flights TT582 and TT583 due to technical issues withthe aircraft.

But the issues were not just technical; many travellers were left frustrated and angry when told of the cancellation after arriving at Mackay Airport for the 12.15pm journey.

Aleisha Gibson, of Melbourne, had enjoyed a great weekend in Mackay at her nephew's 21st but now has a sour taste in her mouth after being told she would have to cop the cost of an extra night's accommodation. Ms Gibson said her family was first told by Tiger Airways that they would not be able to get a flight until early next week.

"We were told the earliest we could get a flight was next Monday,"she said.

"I was really quite upset.

"The five of us came for a 21st and the last time my mum was up she was caught in a cyclone."

Ms Gibson said they were told of the cancellation when they first arrived to check in.