14.04.2022
4 min read

Baggage delays add to Easter airport chaos as thousands of travellers head interstate

Tens of thousands of people are flying around the country for the holidays, amid chronic airport staff shortages.

Chaos erupts at Aussie airports

People travelling domestically for the Easter long weekend have been warned their baggage could be delayed as airports around the country experience their busiest day in two years.

Tens of thousands of people are flying around the country for the holidays, amid chronic airport staff shortages.

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Qantas has said it was “pulling out all the stops to get people to their destination safely and smoothly as possible” but warned there would be some delays.

“Last weekend we carried over 350,000 people on 2,800 flights, so while it’s busy and there are some delays at airports and with baggage, our people are absolutely delivering,” a spokesperson said.

“As with a lot of industries around Australia, aviation is being impacted by the isolation requirements for close contacts of COVID cases.

“We’re seeing between 20 and 50 per cent of employees in some areas are unable to work as a result.”

In Perth, dozens of bags that were delayed remain at the airport awaiting collection.

“We come every day. We’ve been here every day since Sunday ... trying to find (our bag),” couple Lynette and Kevin, who arrived on a Qantas flight four days ago, said.

Other passengers reported being told about baggage delays through announcements during their flight.

Passengers are being asked to arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights as Sydney Airport contends with about 82,000 passengers on Thursday, following a week of long queues caused by reduced staff numbers and rusty passengers.

Travellers queued up at Sydney Airport on Thursday. Credit: AAP

Almost 60,000 passengers are expected to use Brisbane Airport on Thursday, while Melbourne will handle 76,000 a day over the Easter period.

Adelaide is anticipating 25,000 on Thursday and again on Friday.

Easter Monday will be Hobart’s busiest-ever day for flights, with more than 81 planes coming and going.

While long queues are likely to increase travel stress, passengers have been reminded of the importance of keeping calm.

“Bad behaviour on an aircraft can put safety at risk,” Civil Aviation Safety Authority CEO Pip Spence said.

“It can ... cause distractions during critical phases of flight and jeopardise the safety of other passengers.”

Lines stretched out the door at Sydney Airport. Credit: AAP

Penalties for unruly behaviour can include up to two years in prison, and fines of $1100.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was delighted to see the tourism industry bouncing back, but said people should also expect some travel congestion.

“These are days we were looking forward to during this pandemic,” Morrison said.

“There are going to be some setbacks as the staff come back in, as the system is built up again.

“I’d just ask people to show some patience. I know it is frustrating and I know the airlines and everybody is doing everything they can to turn that around.”

Queues of people waiting to get through security at Sydney Airport. Credit: AAP

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who holds the transport portfolio, said the government was committed to tackling airport congestion.

“I look today and I see the crowding at Sydney airport, and it’s understandable,” Joyce said.

“We’ve got five million people that live in the (Sydney) basin and there’s issues there.”

The government intended to spend $55 million at Newcastle Airport to increase international flight capacity, he said.

Post-COVID surge

Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said after two years of COVID-19 related disruptions, the surge in holiday bookings was welcome.

“The pent-up demand created by the Omicron outbreak ruining the Christmas and summer holiday plans of many ... is also helping to drive the travel rush,” she said.

Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said baggage handlers, ground staff and security workers were under incredible pressure.

Many of those workers lost their jobs at the start of pandemic lockdowns as they did not qualify for federal government JobKeeper payments because they were employed by foreign companies.

Travellers check in at the Qantas Terminal at Melbourne Airport. Credit: AAP

“That’s the underlying reason that we’re seeing the staff shortages that are leading to this kind of day, with catastrophic scenes at our airport (in Sydney),” Kaine told the ABC on Thursday.

“Those 2000 workers are ready, willing and able to come back to work but Qantas is not putting them back on, and now we’re seeing this panicked response,” he said.

The union is calling for an independent commission to address what it described as long-term issues in the industry.

Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi urged travellers to be patient, adding the pandemic led to thousands of highly skilled workers being stood down or made redundant.

“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,” he said.