EIGHT Pacific Islander pilgrims were taken to Westmead Hospital yesterday after an outbreak of a flu-like illness.

The pilgrims had been staying at Oakhill College in Castle Hill and were taken to the hospital by ambulance after suffering from fevers and coughing.

A hospital spokeswoman was quick to rule out malaria, as had been feared, saying the visitors suffered a "flu-like illness" and were recovering.

Three of the pilgrims were held at the hospital for observation and by late afternoon two had already been released to rejoin their group.

"They're all in a stable condition and we expect that the last [of the pilgrims] should be cleared to leave soon," the spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, scores of pilgrims travelling to Sydney from interstate were delayed after Qantas blamed a rolling strike by engineers for 21 domestic flight cancellations.

A Qantas spokeswoman said the cancellations resulted from the engineers' ban on working overtime.

The disruptions follow 35 flight cancellations on Monday as the engineers' union negotiates with the airline over a 5 per cent pay claim.

A Sydney Airport spokesman said it was another busy day as groups continued to flow into the country.

Figures on arrivals will not be published until next month.

Jonathan Dart