Image: Image: Sydney Airport/ Facebook
Australia is gearing up for a busy Easter weekend with nearly two million travellers expected to take to the skies and roads during the holiday rush.
Qantas and Jetstar are preparing for a major spike in travel, with over 840,000 passengers set to fly across the five-day Easter long weekend. Thursday and Easter Monday are projected to be the busiest days for domestic and international flights.
“With this year’s Easter long weekend expected to be one of our busiest in recent years, our teams have worked hard to be ready for the hundreds of thousands of customers who’ll be flying with us,” said Qantas Domestic chief executive Markus Svensson. “Our operations are in a strong position coming into the April holidays, with more than 80 per cent of our domestic flights departing on time each month.”
Jetstar is also preparing for its biggest Easter travel period ever, with more than 400,000 passengers booked across the network.
“Following significant growth across our low fares network, this will be Jetstar’s biggest Easter peak ever,” said Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully.
Airports and roads under pressure as Aussies head away for Easter weekend
Air New Zealand is seeing a 35 per cent jump in Australian travellers compared to last year, with over 65,000 people expected to fly to New Zealand—most departing from Sydney and Melbourne.
“Easter has always been a popular time for trans-Tasman travel, but this year we’re seeing a surge like never before,” said Air New Zealand general manager for Australia Kathryn O’Brien. “We’re excited to welcome record numbers of Australians on board this Easter and deliver the warm Kiwi hospitality we’re known for.”
To manage demand, airlines have rostered extra staff and six standby aircraft. Travellers are advised to check in online, stick to baggage limits, and arrive early—1–2 hours before domestic flights and 3–4 hours for international departures.
On the roads, authorities are warning of heavy traffic, especially around holiday hotspots and major arterial routes out of Sydney. Key congestion points include the M1 Pacific Motorway, Princes Highway, Great Western Highway, and roads near the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
“It’s fantastic that so many people will get the chance to have a well-deserved break over the coming week,” said Craig Moran, Executive Director of Operations Management at Transport for NSW. “But having so many extra cars on the road means there is an increased risk. Allow extra time, don’t rush and be safe.”
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