Matt O'Sullivan is the Transport Reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.
A fourth terminal at Sydney Airport for international travellers that links to the existing domestic terminals are part of plans to handle strong passenger growth and a competing airport at Badgerys Creek in the city's west.
A Jetstar plane started taxiing to the runway with a ground worker still attached to the A320.
Sydney Airport has turned down the opportunity to build and operate the new airport at Badgeys Creek because of the "considerable risks" its investors would bear for decades.
The Turnbull government has given its strongest signal yet that it is preparing to go it alone in the $6 billion-plus project.
Sydney Airport's long-time chief executive Kerrie Mather has revealed her plans to relinquish the reins just weeks ahead of a crucial decision about whether to build and operate a new airport in western Sydney.
The Turnbull government is under pressure to allow foreign airlines to operate as many flights as they want to the planned new Western Sydney Airport in order to boost its commercial viability.
Australia's largest airport argues the government-imposed restrictions on flights are two decades old and detrimental to the state's tourism industry.
If a sharp fall in the use of trains, buses and ferries last Friday is any guide, Sydneysiders scored a four-day weekend en masse last week through fair or foul means.
Handlebar moustaches, backpacks and chewing gum are out, while jackets are to be worn more regularly.
Qantas says it ensure capacity matches demand as intense competition on international routes weighs on airfares.
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