Bumper airport crowds ahead as millions fly away for Easter holiday period

Airlines and airports are going to great lengths to ensure a hassle-free Easter holiday period as more than a million people prepare to board flights between Thursday and Monday.

Airports are gearing up for one of the busiest times of the year, as travellers make the most of the Easter break. Picture: Adam Smith

Qantas and Jetstar will have up to 15 aircraft on standby over Easter to help in the event of disruption and Virgin Australia will send corporate staff to airports to assist, with bumper crowds expected.

Airport and airline figures suggest well over a million Australians will board a plane between Thursday and Monday, and millions more in the school holiday periods to follow.

Melbourne Airport is preparing for the equivalent of an MCG grand final crowd — or more than 100,000 people every day from Friday, while Sydney Airport is expecting close to half a million passengers in just four days.

Over 300,000 are booked on flights to and from Brisbane, and Adelaide Airport has forecast a 150,000-strong crowd over the period.

Although domestic flights to the eastern capitals, Gold Coast and Cairns are heavily booked, the biggest growth is in overseas travel thanks to a lot more airline seats than last year.

International passengers through Melbourne are set to increase by 21 per cent on last Easter, and Brisbane Airport is expecting 32 per cent more traffic through its international terminal.

Brisbane Airport Corporation spokesman Peter Doherty said the big jump reflected expanded international airline capacity, particularly on Brisbane-Japan and New Zealand routes.

“This time last year there were just three services a week to Japan, whereas this Easter there are 18 departures a week,” said Mr Doherty.

“The number of passengers will be at 200 per cent of pre-Covid levels, by far the biggest recovery of any market. Not only will it mean thousands of Japanese tourists holidaying in southeast Queensland but lost of Queenslanders enjoying the cherry blossom season.”

Cherry blossom season in Japan is a huge drawcard for visitors, with extra airline capacity from Australia helping to deliver more tourists. Picture: Yuichi Yamazaki/AFP

From Melbourne, flights to North America are among those operating with the highest holiday load factors, due to seat capacity to Canada and the mainland US being down 33 per cent on 2019.

Melbourne Airport chief of ground transport, property and retail Jai McDermott said they were ready for the Easter rush but urged passengers to plan ahead.

“This coming weekend is looking particularly busy, with the Value Car Park sold out online and limited spaces in our terminal car parks, so we’d advise travellers to allow extra time to find a space,” he said.

Sydney Airport also encouraged travellers to book carparking in advance if they planned to drive to Kingsford Smith, and Adelaide Airport urged passengers to allow plenty of time for check in and security.

Of more than a million people with travel plans over the four-day Easter break, 670,000 were booked to fly with Qantas or Jetstar, up 8 per cent on the same time last year.

Over the four weeks of school holidays in various states, Qantas and Jetstar expected to carry almost 4 million people to destinations such as Auckland, Singapore, Bali and Tokyo, as well as Gold Coast, Cairns and Hobart.

To ensure everything went to plan, Qantas had up to 15 “spare aircraft” on standby in the event of disruption.

Virgin Australia had a similarly busy schedule, with flights to Queensland destinations proving to be the top choice of domestic holidaymakers.

A Virgin spokeswoman assured travellers the airline continued to improve its on time performance and completion rates, and said corporate employees would be supporting airport teams through the busiest days.

The Gold Coast remains a top choice for domestic holidaymakers over the Easter period. Picture: Above Photography

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Brett Fraser said all indications were that “normal travel patterns” were returning in 2024.

“There are still challenges, but the future is looking positive,” said Mr Fraser.

Around 38,000 people were set to arrive at the Gold Coast by air across the Easter weekend, with a similar number flying out of the airport at Coolangatta.

A Gold Coast Airport spokeswoman said Friday and Monday would be their busiest days, and Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland the most heavily booked routes.

“Out of all Australian airports, Gold Coast Airport had one of the fastest recoveries to pre-Covid levels for domestic passengers, and we continue to see strong passenger growth, particularly during those peak travel periods like Easter and school holidays,” she said.

Travellers could expect some special treats to ease the pain of airport crowds, with Qantas mascot Matilda handing out chocolates in its major terminals and serving hot cross buns in lounges.

Sydney Airport ambassadors were also planning to dispense some Easter cheer, with chocolates for travellers and fun Easter-themed installations for selfies.