Passengers warned of flight delays as strong winds blast Sydney and Melbourne

Passengers travelling through two of the country’s busiest airports have been warned to check their flight schedules, as strong winds trigger delays and cancellations.

Passengers travelling out of Sydney and Melbourne airports have been told to closely monitor their flight schedules as strong winds trigger possible delays.

Winds reaching speeds of up to 30km/h were reported on Wednesday morning and may cause disruptions to flights throughout the day.

Passengers have been warned to monitor their travel schedules closely, as the high winds may trigger flight delays. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Due to the increasing wind speeds, Airservices Australia implemented ground delay programs, including reducing the arrival rate of airlines operating at Melbourne and Sydney airports.

The program is affecting all airlines.

“Airservices Australia – the nation’s air navigation service provider – has now enacted single runway operations at Sydney Airport due to strong westerly winds,” a spokesman said.

“This adheres to our International Civil Aviation Organisation safety regulations for runway usage amid inclement weather.”

The spokesman said the decision was “purely weather and safety-related to safeguard the travelling public”.

“Delays are expected,” they told NewsWire. “It is recommended that passengers reach out to their airlines.”

Flights have been delayed and cancelled amid the wild weather. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

A Sydney Airport spokesman told NewsWire that “due to high winds, airport operations may be affected throughout the day”.

“We recommend passengers check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport and we thank passengers for their patience and understanding,” they said.

Virgin Australia confirmed it had cancelled “a number” of flights at Sydney Airport due to the winds, with further delays expected on Wednesday.

The spokesman told NewsWire the airline had contacted customers booked to travel in or out of the state on disrupted flights and urged others to check their flight plans for any delays or disruptions.

Virgin Australia has cancelled a number of flights due to the wind. Photo: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning for residents in the Great Dividing Range and the state’s southern coast, including Wollongong, and extending to southeastern Sydney and Newcastle due to damaging winds.

Strong winds are expected to reach between 50km/h to 60km/h for southwest Sydney, with possible gusts exceeding 90km/h.

Overnight, the bureau recorded wind speeds reaching 91km/h in Albion Park about 2.30am and 115km/h in Bellambi shortly after 3am.

The damaging winds may impact flights. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Damaging winds have also been recorded in Victoria overnight, with the bureau reporting top speeds of 96km/h in Port Fairy shortly after 9pm on Tuesday and 94km/h in Cape Otway about 10pm.

A Melbourne Airport spokesperson said passengers may have disrupted flights due to the winds.

“As a result of high winds some operations at Melbourne Airport may be affected throughout the day,” they said.

“Passengers are advised to check with their airline for all flight updates.”

A Qantas spokesman told NewsWire that staff were contacting all passengers whose flights had been impacted by the weather conditions and the airline had consolidated flights to minimise delays.

Originally published as Passengers warned of flight delays as strong winds blast Sydney and Melbourne