Sydney Airport braces itself for bumper September school holidays

Sydney Airport braces itself for bumper September school holidays
Edited by Travel Weekly


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

The forecast anticipates almost 200,000 more passengers than the equivalent period during the 2023 September school holidays, with a total of one million passenger 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 over 80,000 passengers expected, while Saturday 28 September is forecast to be the busiest day for international travel 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. Those with international flights are suggested to arrive three hours prior to departure unless advised otherwise by their airlines.

During holidays, there will be extra staff to help 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 and get the best deal, 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.

Sydney Airport CEO, Scott Charlton, 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.

Passengers should be aware of the following:

  • 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.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

sydney airport

Latest News

  • Famil

TravHost launches expert hosting service to transform industry famils

TravHost offers a pioneering service bridging the gap between media professionals, travel agents and tourism organisations, addressing the demand for exceptional famil hosts. Founded by seasoned travel media professionals Fiona Harper and Carolyne Jasinski, TravHost is poised to revolutionise the way tourism organisations and travel companies approach famils. With decades of experience in tourism and […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Travel Agents

Book big and bag a spot of the TTC Tour Brand’s Top Achievers’ Famil

TTC Tour Brands’ Top Achievers Famil incentive is back, rewarding top-selling agents with the chance to embark on an unforgettable trip to a destination that remains a secret – for now. Agents who have sold any Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Contiki, from 1 December 2024 to 14 March 2025, go into the […]

  • Business Travel
  • Conferences

New Zealand International Convention Centre to open in February 2026

The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) has announced it is opening its doors to New Zealand and world conferences and events in February 2026. The long-awaited NZICC is set to transform New Zealand’s conference and events industry, boosting visitation and the wider economy with its world-class facilities. Located in the heart of Auckland’s CBD, […]

  • Cruise
  • Events

AmaWaterways invites AU/NZ travel trade to An Evening with AmaWaterways events

AmaWaterways has announced the dates of its upcoming An Evening with AmaWaterways events for travel advisors, just over a year after it entered the Australian and New Zealand markets. Dedicated to travel advisors, the events will be held in six cities and will be hosted by AmaWaterways’ regional sales managers, plus feature a presentation from […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

Mooloolaba cruise season boosts Sunshine Coast tourism and trade

Mooloolaba is set to welcome a series of cruise ships through February and March 2025, significantly boosting local businesses and tourism to the Sunshine Coast. Their arrival is expected to create a vibrant atmosphere and provide a substantial economic uplift to the region. Viking Sky kicks off the season on Sunday 8 February, with 930 […]

  • Food & Beverage

Little Pete Brewing opens first of its kind open-air bar

Little Pete Brewing has opened a new open-air bar at 543 Step Rd, Langhorne Creek, a must-visit South Australia destination for a drink with a view. The first-of-its-kind open-air bar sits on 8ha, surrounded by vineyards and paddocks, with the Bremer River flowing nearby and framed by majestic ancient river red gums. “We always felt […]

  • Events

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025

CENTREPIECE is set to make a splash at AIME 2025 with a one-of-a-kind activation that showcases their world-class event capabilities to inspire event planners and decision-makers. CENTREPIECE is located in the heart of Melbourne & Olympic Parks, Victoria’s epicentre for live sports and entertainment and home to world-renowned venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park, […]

  • Destinations
  • Tourism

NYC Tourism + Conventions announces two exciting new events

NYC Tourism + Conventions has announced ‘NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025’ and ‘Value Family Activities’ events lined up for this year. NYC Off-Broadway Week 2025 2-for-1 ticket sales for this event have begun with this season’s program featuring 29 Off-Broadway performances, including 18 new participants. The twice-yearly program runs from 17 February through 9 March with […]

  • Events
  • Tourism

Jeju wins bid to host 2028 Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has successfully secured the 14th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference (APMC14) for Jeju in November 2028. This was achieved in partnership with the Korean Society of Microscopy, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Convention Bureau, and Jeju International Convention Center. Korea was selected as the final host after strong competition at the 13th […]

  • Cruise
  • Food & Beverage

Oceania Cruises sets new standard for onboard dining: one chef for every 10 guests

Oceania Cruises, renowned for The Finest Cuisine at Sea, has set a new standard for onboard dining with an exquisite new menu evolution in The Grand Dining Room. Launching on its newest 1,200-guest ship, Allura, in July 2025, the reimagined menus introduce over 270 brand-new recipes, from curated Signature Eggs Benedict breakfast selection to a chic French […]