Easter is a time traditionally marked by family gatherings and chocolate egg hunts, and many Australians are also known to partake in another seasonal activity: travel.

Airports in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney are preparing for a surge of passengers.

With this influx comes a series of important travel warnings that you can't afford to ignore.


The Easter period is a bustling time for Australian airports, with a staggering number of travellers taking to the skies.

Qantas and Jetstar earlier said they are anticipating over 670,000 passengers during the long weekend, with Easter Thursday predicted to be the busiest day of travel with around 150,000 people flying.

This is a significant figure, and it's crucial to be well-prepared to ensure your holiday begins smoothly.


For those departing from Sydney and Brisbane, the numbers are particularly noteworthy.

Sydney Airport is bracing for about 130,000 passengers, while Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal is preparing for 56,000 travellers.

Melbourne Airport is also expecting a busy period, though its peak is forecasted for April 12, coinciding with the end of Victorian school holidays, and the start of New South Wales school holidays, with an anticipated 108,000 passengers—a huge difference from 85,000 to 95,000 on a normal day.


Melbourne travellers, in particular, should be aware of parking challenges due to the removal of 500 spaces from the airport’s ‘Value Car Park’ for the construction of Naarm Way Stage 2.

‘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,’ said Jai McDermott, Melbourne Airport’s Chief of Ground Transport, Property, and Retail.

‘When complete in 2026, Naarm Way Stage 2 will deliver new dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones for passengers using Terminals 1, 2, and 3, while also reducing congestion in the increasingly busy forecourt.’

The overall passenger count for Melbourne Airport during the Easter and school holiday period is expected to reach 1.7 million.

International traveller numbers are expected to be up by 21 per cent compared to last year, while the number of domestic travellers is also anticipated to see a 4 per cent increase.

For those flying domestically, the advice is to arrive 90 minutes before your flight, and for international travel, three hours prior is recommended.


To accommodate the increased traffic, airports are taking measures to ensure a smooth experience for travellers.

Melbourne Airport, for example, will have additional security, cleaners, and customer service staff on hand.

‘We know peak travel periods can be a stressful time for some passengers, but we ask people to be patient and respectful as the team works to get you where you need to be as quickly and safely as possible,’ McDermott requested.

Brisbane Airport is also preparing for a significant number of travellers, with 1.5 million expected to pass through its domestic terminal and 500,000 through the international terminal.

Peter Doherty, a spokesperson for Brisbane Airport, noted that as temperatures begin to drop in New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand, they enter ‘the period of the year when Queensland shines’.

The count of passengers utilising the domestic terminal has increased by only 2 per cent compared to the same period last year.


The rise in international travel is particularly notable, with Brisbane Airport reporting a 32 per cent increase in international traveller numbers.

The peak period for the international terminal in Brisbane is expected to occur from April 12 to 14, coinciding with the commencement of school holidays in New Zealand.

‘Trans-Tasman travel has increased, with the number of flights originating from New Zealand rising from 75 this time last year to 87 per week this year,’ Doherty stated, citing a 23 per cent increase.

It was also reported that Japan has emerged as a star destination, with 18 departures from Brisbane—a far cry from just three last year.

‘The number of passengers will be at 200 per cent of pre-COVID levels, by far the biggest recovery of any market,’ Doherty explained.

‘Not only will it mean thousands of Japanese tourists holidaying in South East Queensland, but also lots of Queenslanders enjoying the cherry blossom season.’

He attributed the surge in activity to the increased presence of Jetstar services at Brisbane Airport, with the budget carrier now ranking as the second-largest international airline serving the airport.

Brisbane Airport also announced its intention to reintroduce therapy dogs to provide comfort to passengers at the domestic terminal during the holiday season, and to extend the program to the international terminal for the first time.

Domestic travellers were advised to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before their flight as usual, while those departing on international flights were encouraged to arrive three hours in advance.


Contrary to Victoria and Queensland, the school holidays in NSW commence two weeks after Easter.

A Sydney airport spokesperson said this meant they were expecting ‘a longer, but less peaky busy period’.

‘The terminals will still be bustling, and we’re encouraging passengers to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of domestic travel if they’re checking in luggage, and three hours prior if heading overseas,’ the spokesperson advised.

She also encouraged passengers to book their parking online earlier.

Sydney Airport anticipates approximately 449,000 travellers in its terminals from Thursday through Sunday, with 266,000 of them being domestic passengers and 183,000 international.

Qantas and Jetstar are preparing for almost four million passengers to fly on 36,000 flights nationally over the school holiday period.

They have rostered additional staff and have up to 15 aircraft on standby to manage any disruptions.

Specialised maintenance crews have also been established to ramp up maintenance efforts on aircraft.


With the Easter holiday weekend underway, millions of Australians are travelling, navigating through warnings and advisories issued for major airports like Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney.

With the influx of travellers expected during this period, it's crucial to plan flights wisely to avoid potential disruptions and save on expenses.

Understanding the best and worst days to fly can make all the difference, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective travel experience.

Whether you're jetting off to visit loved ones or exploring new destinations, strategic planning can help maximise enjoyment while minimising hassle.
Do you have any travel plans during this Easter period? Any tips you might have for navigating the busy airports? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below!