Wednesday 25 September 2024

• Sydney Airport is expecting 2.5 million passengers during the three-week September school holiday peak, seven per cent more than the same period in 2023
• Forecast includes 1.5 million Domestic and 1 million International passengers
• Upgrades to security screening progressing at main screening points

Sydney Airport is preparing for a bumper September school holidays with 2.5 million passengers forecast to travel through the terminals from Monday 23 September 2024 to Sunday 13 October 2024.

The forecast anticipates almost 200,000 more passengers than the equivalent period during the 2023 September school holidays, with a total of 1 million passengers expected to pass through the T1 International terminal during the holidays, an 11 per cent increase on 2023, and a total of 1.5 million domestic passengers forecast to pass through the T2 and T3 Domestic terminals, a five per cent increase on 2023.

The busiest day for domestic travel is set to be Friday 27 September, with more than 80,000 passengers expected, while Saturday 28 September is forecast to be the busiest day for travel at International with 52,000 passengers set to travel through the airport.

Following a strong performance in Q2, when 100 per cent of passengers passed through security in less than 10 minutes, Sydney Airport is committed to providing another smooth and secure experience for all passengers during what is traditionally a busy period.

Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and leave themselves plenty of time for their journey to the airport, with domestic passengers advised to arrive one hour prior to departure if they only have hand-luggage, and two hours prior if they’re checking-in bags.

Passengers travelling via the International terminal should arrive three hours prior to departure unless their airlines say otherwise.

During the holiday period there will be increased staff on hand to assist passengers, and taxis and other vehicles may be directed to drop passengers off on the arrivals level at the T2 and T3 Domestic terminals during peak times. Passengers are also encouraged to check Sydney Airport’s website for live security wait times and flight status updates.

Passengers planning to park at the terminals are advised to book parking to guarantee a spot, as well as familiarising themselves with the new roads leading into the airport via the recently opened Sydney Gateway, which more than half a million motorists have successfully used since its opening on 1 September.

Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO, said: “The September school holidays will be a busy time at the airport and our operational teams are fully prepared to make sure everyone has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

“We’re encouraging passengers to plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to the airport and for those heading in from the western suburbs to jump on our website and familiarise themselves with the new Sydney Gateway motorway.

“We’re excited to welcome families and passengers during this time of year and are committed to making their journeys as seamless as possible.”

Advancing Security Measures

Sydney Airport is making strides in its implementation of the Government’s mandated airport security upgrades. This includes the installation of next-generation screening systems and improvements to terminal layouts to improve passenger flow and efficiency.

With the implementation of ongoing security upgrades, passengers should be aware of the following protocols at each terminal:

• T1 – Some security lanes will require liquids and aerosols to be removed from hand luggage. Passengers are advised to follow the instructions of security staff.
• T2 – laptops and aerosols will be required to be removed from hand luggage.
• T3 – laptops and aerosols are not required to be removed from hand luggage.

Notes to editor

Travel Tips for Passengers

To assist passengers during this period, Sydney Airport recommends the following:

• Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the airport at least one hour before domestic flights with hand luggage, two hours if checking bags and three hours for international flights.
• Prepare for Screening: Ensure all carry-on items are easily accessible and follow the instructions of security staff to facilitate a smooth screening process.
• Check for Updates: Stay updated on flight information and security procedures by visiting the Sydney Airport website.