Monday 21 September 2026

• Friday 2 October is forecast as the busiest domestic day of the peak, with close to 94,000 passengers through T2 and T3.
• Domestic travel is driving demand, with 1.65 million passengers forecast across the
• Three-week period, up almost four percent on last year.
• AFL and NRL Grand Final fans will join families heading away for the school holidays and the October long weekend.

Sydney Airport is preparing for one of the busiest times of the year, with nearly 2.7 million passengers set to travel through the terminals between Monday 21 September and Sunday 11 October 2026.

Domestic travel is leading the peak, with 1.64 million passengers forecast through
T2 and T3, up almost four percent on last year. More than one million passengers will pass through T1 International.

The peak also coincides with two major football weekends, with travelling to Melbourne for the AFL Grand Final before Sydney hosts the NRL Grand Final the following weekend. They will join families already heading away for the school holidays and October long weekend.

Friday 2 October is expected to be the busiest day with close to 94,000 passengers forecast through T2 and T3. The international peak is expected the day before on Thursday 1 October, with more than 52,000 travellers through T1.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “The September school holidays are one of the busiest times of the year at the airport, with families, friends and holidaymakers making the most of the break and warmer weather.

“We're seeing strong demand for sunny domestic destinations like Brisbane and the Gold Coast, while internationally New Zealand, China and Singapore are proving particularly popular with travellers departing Sydney.

“Whether people are heading overseas, taking a quick getaway or welcoming visitors to Australia, we’re proud to connect people with the destinations and experiences that matter most.

“With higher passenger numbers expected throughout the holiday period, we encourage travellers to arrive early and plan ahead for a smooth journey.”

Extra customer service staff will be on hand across the terminals through the peak. Some vehicles dropping off passengers at the T1 International terminal may be directed to the arrivals level to reduce congestion, with lifts and escalators facilitating access to the departures level.

Domestic passengers travelling with carry-on luggage only should arrive at least an hour before departure, or two hours if checking bags. International passengers should arrive three hours before departure unless their airline advises otherwise. Anyone planning to park should book ahead.

Upgrades across the terminals

As travellers’ journey through the airport they will also notice continued progress on Sydney Airport's investment in the passenger experience.

At T2, new self-service check-in kiosks and automatic bag drops are speeding up the journey from kerb to gate as work continues on the transformation of Australia's busiest domestic terminal.

Enhancing the passenger experience

Passengers will also have more to explore, with a range of new services, retail offers and terminal upgrades recently introduced across the airport.

At T1 International, passengers can now access Fast Track – a new offering allowing passengers to pre-purchase access to a priority queue prior to the security screening at T1 departures.

Recently, MECCA Beauty opened at Heinemann Tax and Duty Free in an Australian airport first. The new store has been designed specifically around the pre-flight experience, creating a space where travellers can discover beauty, access expert advice and take a moment for themselves before they fly.

Sydney Airport has also unveiled the first of 50 new electric buses, which will progressively replace diesel-powered vehicles used to move passengers and staff across the airport. The fleet supports Sydney Airport’s target of net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and features bespoke First Nations artwork celebrating the Dharawal People of Coastal Sydney.

Note to Editors

School holiday travel tips

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

Check-in Online: Check in online where possible to assist with departures.

Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the airport at least one hour before domestic flights, and check in online 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. For passengers with an online boarding pass and hand luggage only, proceed straight to security screening.

Check for Updates: Stay updated on flight information and security procedures by visiting the Sydney Airport website.

Security screening

Passengers no longer need to remove laptops or aerosols from hand luggage at all security screening points. Government volume restrictions still apply on powders, liquids, aerosols and gels for passengers travelling international - visit Home Affairs website for details.