Sydney Airport is preparing for nearly 2.7 million passengers to pass through its terminals during the three-week school holiday and football finals travel peak.
The airport expects the busy period to run from Monday 21 September to Sunday 11 October. Domestic travel will account for about 1.64 million passengers through terminals T2 and T3, while more than one million passengers are expected through the international terminal.
Friday 2 October is forecast to be the busiest domestic day of the period, with close to 94,000 passengers expected through T2 and T3. That makes the start of the October long weekend a key day for people travelling to or from the airport.
The peak overlaps with two major football weekends. Fans will travel to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final before Sydney hosts the NRL Grand Final the following weekend. School holiday trips and the long weekend will add to passenger numbers.
Domestic passenger numbers for the three-week period are forecast to be almost four per cent higher than the same period last year, according to Sydney Airport.
For Bayside residents, the surge may also mean busier roads and public transport around Mascot and the airport precinct, particularly on the busiest departure and arrival days.
Passengers should check current flight information with their airline before leaving home and allow enough time to reach the terminal. Travellers using public transport should also check for service changes before their trip.
The airport’s forecast covers the full period from 21 September to 11 October, so busy conditions are likely to vary from day to day rather than remain at the same level throughout the three weeks.