Sydney Airport closes all but one runway as a safety precaution

The airport made the decision over safety concerns for departing aircraft.

Sydney Airport shifts to single runway operation over safety concerns. Picture: NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

Travellers planning to fly out of Sydney Airport will notice a change on the tarmac as powerful winds force the airport to close most runways.

Airservices Australia said airlines were operating on a single runway at Sydney Airport at about 1pm on Friday.

Gusty, westerly crosswinds made it unsafe for more than one runway to remain open.

Sydney Airport has shifted to a single runway operation over dangerous winds. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“This decision is purely weather and safety-related to safeguard the travelling public,” an Air Services spokesperson said.

Single runway operations during crosswinds adheres to the safety regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Sydney Airport said that there have been no cancellations as a result of the runway closures and all flights scheduled to depart on Friday are expected to leave on time.

Damaging winds are forecast to blast the south-eastern states of Australia over the next 48 hours, WeatherZone reports.

Severe weather warnings have been issued in Melbourne and Adelaide and more are expected to be issued in the coming days.

The gusty winds are being driven by the first of a series of cold fronts pushing east from Friday and into the weekend.