With Easter around the corner, Australian travellers itching to fly out for the holidays should prepare for long queues at major airports.
Thursday is set to be the busiest day for domestic air travel in more than two years, with some 82,000 passengers expected to pass through security gates and check-in counters at Sydney Airport.
“I know it’s a difficult message to hear but Thursday is going to be another tough day for travellers, and I want to apologise in advance to anyone who is inconvenienced,” said Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert.
He said up to 20 per cent of staff were absent due to COVID-19 or isolation protocols which has put strain on managing the long lines.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi urged eager travellers to be patient as the aviation industry adjusts to flights picking up again following a nationwide relaxation of social restrictions and border closures.
“COVID-19 decimated airlines and airports and resulted in thousands of highly skilled workers being stood down or made redundant,” he said.
“Airlines and their suppliers are now scaling up their workforce but given the safety-critical nature of the jobs they do, recruitment and re-training can take time”.
Adelaide Airport expects 25,000 people through its recently expanded terminal on Thursday and again on Friday.
Brisbane Airport expects around 50,000 passengers will be jumping on flights.
AAP
