Travellers planning to fly out of Sydney Airport in the forseeable future have been warned to expect lengthy waits, after huge queues of people snaked out of the domestic terminal T2 on Monday morning.
The queues - made up of people waiting to check in, and those in the baggage claim area - have been attributed to enhanced security measures, after an alleged plot to bring down a flight was uncovered at the weekend.
More Travel News Videos
- Video duration
- 03:04
Sydney arrests: Travellers brace for ...
Sydney arrests: Travellers brace for delays
Expect extra airport security checks after the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism teams conducted anti-terror raids over an alleged planned attack. Vision: Seven News
Up Next
UK's biggest stars deliver comedy in new British Airways safety video
- Video duration
- 06:06
- Video duration
- 06:06
UK's biggest stars deliver comedy in new ...
UK's biggest stars deliver comedy in new British Airways safety video
From a swearing Gordon Ramsay to a silent Mr Bean, some of the UK's biggest stars have appeared in British Airways' new comedy safety video.
Up Next
Low-flying plane stuns beachgoers
- Video duration
- 00:58
- Video duration
- 00:58
Low-flying plane stuns beachgoers
Low-flying plane stuns beachgoers
Tourists and thrill-seekers flock to Maho Beach on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten to watch planes skim over their heads before touching down at the airport.
Up Next
Viral travel video causes Facebook uproar
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Viral travel video causes Facebook uproar
Viral travel video causes Facebook uproar
A video produced by online travellers' collective Global Degree has outraged older travellers.
Up Next
AirAsia flight in new mid-air emergency
- Video duration
- 00:30
- Video duration
- 00:30
AirAsia flight in new mid-air emergency
AirAsia flight in new mid-air emergency
A suspected bird strike has forced an AirAsia X flight to make an emergency landing soon after take-off from the Gold Coast bound for Malaysia. Vision: Seven News
Up Next
Boeing's biggest Dreamliner takes to the skies
- Video duration
- 00:47
- Video duration
- 00:47
Boeing's biggest Dreamliner takes to the ...
Boeing's biggest Dreamliner takes to the skies
Watch as Boeing's newest, biggest Dreamliner, the 787-10, takes off for the first time.
Up Next
Killer whale's spectacular attack caught on camera
- Video duration
- 00:57
- Video duration
- 00:57
Killer whale's spectacular attack caught ...
Killer whale's spectacular attack caught on camera
Incredible footage captured by Traveller.com.au editor Craig Platt shows an orca throwing a green sea turtle metres in the air as it plays with its prey off the Galapagos Islands. The reporter travelled as a guest of the South America Travel Centre.
Sydney arrests: Travellers brace for delays
Expect extra airport security checks after the Sydney Joint Counter Terrorism teams conducted anti-terror raids over an alleged planned attack. Vision: Seven News
Domestic terminal T2, which handles Jetstar, Virgin and Tiger flights, was the worst-affected with a long line of passengers extending out the door and along the footpath.
The queue now stretches outside the terminal and down the entire length of T2 st Sydney airport. pic.twitter.com/odKbrQ6Z54
— Mary Lloyd (@MaryLloyd4) July 30, 2017
At one point the queue was so long there was "not enough pavement for everyone", one traveller said, and confusion reigned as passengers were unsure of which line to join.
Most flights were leaving on time despite the length of time it was taking to check passengers in, and the lines had largely cleared by midday.
Passengers for domestic flights have been advised to check in two hours before the plane's scheduled departure as the new security measures continue.
Jetstar sent a text message to passengers on Sunday night to warn them to leave "ample time for screening".
"The Australian Government has introduced additional aviation security measures at international and domestic terminals at Australia's major airports," the message said.
"Passengers should arrive at the airport two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights."
Passenger Sally Rugg estimated on Twitter that the check-in process would take at least an hour, with staff handing out water bottles to travellers.
Extraordinary queues to check in here at Sydney Airport. Not even sure what queue I'm in #SydneyAirport pic.twitter.com/xUBQi2Bonw
— Wendy Carlisle (@Wendycarlisle) July 30, 2017
Here is the massive line just to get *into* Sydney airport this morning. 200 people? Glad I gave it 2.5hrs buffer... #auspol pic.twitter.com/m9FdOWnbYE
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) July 30, 2017
They're handing out water bottles to people queuing to check in their baggage at Sydney airport - reckon the wait is at least an hour
— Sally Rugg (@sallyrugg) July 30, 2017
Some passengers could see the lighter side of the situation, urging entrepreneurial cafe owners to deliver orders to the people queuing up.
Sydney Airport is understood to have put on extra staff to manage the increase in security measures. Security was beefed up late last week after authorities became aware of an alleged plot to blow up a flight bound from Sydney to the Middle East.
Four men were taken into custody in a series of arrests across Sydney on Saturday.
Air travellers have been warned they will need to be patient and limit both carry-on and checked-in luggage due to extra screening measures.
This is the new normal
— Tasman Tigger (@tasmantigger) July 30, 2017
Transport minister Darren Chester apologised for the delays, urging all travellers to treat airport staff with respect despite understandable frustrations.
"There will be some queuing, and we apologise for that, but again, we can make no apology for the fact that we've made safety our number one priority," Mr Chester said on Monday.
"People should go about their business travel and leisure travel just like they would any other day, but recognise they may have to get to the airport just a bit earlier."
Mr Chester said the enhanced screening measures would be in place for as long as deemed necessary.
"These new provisions will be in place for as long as the security agencies advise us that that's the most appropriate course of action," he said.
Border Security Minister Peter Dutton urged passengers to be patient and avoid passing through security if it was not necessary.
"If you don't need to go inside the airport through the security section, then please don't," he told 9 News on Monday.
Sydney Airport has been contacted for comment.