Passengers are asked to arrive as close as possible two hours before their domestic flight to help Sydney Airport manage congestion as school holidays and staff shortages cause delays.
Wet weather conditions have contributed to some delays and cancellations, but the most important factors have been the rush of the school holiday season and the airport struggling to replace some 15,000 employees it left during the pandemic.
A mass of passengers are navigating confused queues at Sydney National Terminal 2 on Saturday. Credit: Oscar Colman
Queues at Terminal 2 at Sydney Domestic Airport passed outside the terminal on Saturday and affected airlines such as Jetstar and Virgin.
With delays scheduled for at least July 18, Sydney Airport is asking domestic passengers not to be tempted to arrive more than two hours before their departure time.
“We tried the two-hour window and it’s the sweet spot,” an airport spokeswoman said. “Don’t allow three hours, don’t allow four hours, just allow two hours or as close as possible.”
For international flights, travelers are advised to arrive as close as possible three hours before the flight.
“We will not sweeten the fact that the terminals will be busy during the school holidays and there will be queues.”
Geoff Culbert, CEO of Sydney Airport
It is especially important for people who will be passing through the airport at rush hour during the day, such as between 5 and 9 in the morning, and from approximately 15:00 in the afternoon.
A major shortage of jobs at Sydney Airport also contributes to the pressures. During the pandemic, the airport lost about half of its 33,000 employees in 800 companies, including airlines, baggage handling, security, shops and cafes, and cleaning.