Source: Simon Hradecky | www.avherald.com

A Virgin Australia Boeing 737-800, registration VH-VOT performing flight VA-938 from Brisbane,QL to Sydney,NS (Australia) with 170 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 70nm northwest of Newcastle,NS (Australia) when the crew received a cargo smoke indication and decided to divert to Newcastle. The aircraft landed safely on Newcastle’s runway 12 about 20 minutes later. The passengers disembarked normally and were bussed to Sydney.

The airline reported the aircraft diverted to Newcastle due to a warning indication in the cargo hold.

The occurrence aircraft positioned to Melbourne,VI (Australia) departing Newcastle about 7 hours after landing, but has not yet resumed service about 19 hours after landing in Newcastle.