A chartered Qantas flight carrying Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo to Las Vegas has been forced to turn around due to an issue with the air conditioning.

Qantas flight 337 took off at 3.20pm on Tuesday for the 13-hour trip to the American city but returned to Sydney Airport shortly after 5.20pm.

Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman V’landys and NRL chief executive Abdo were aboard, along with other NRL management staff, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Newcastle CEO Peter Parr was also said to be on the flight, along with members of the media and a host of Knights fans. 

After the plane had returned to Sydney, it was revealed that the flight was set to take off again at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening. 

A flight taking Peter V’landys (left) and Andrew Abdo (right) to Las Vegas was forced to return to Sydney Airport

It is understood that the plane spent one hour in the air before it was forced to return to Sydney due to an air conditioning issue

The NRL’s Las Vegas extravaganza is in full swing, with fans flocking to Sin City to watch this weekend’s season-opening matches.

Newcastle will begin their 2026 campaign against the Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. The Canterbury Bulldogs will then take on St George Illawarra Dragons later in the evening, with Super League champions Hull KR also due to take on Leeds Rhinos earlier in the day. 

Many NRL executives are expected to be in town, for what promises to be a blockbuster weekend of action. 

More to come…