Brace for the holiday travel rush
As the holiday season fast approaches, Australians are gearing up for a massive wave of travel, with millions expected to take to the skies.
This Thursday (7 December) marks International Civil Aviation Day and CQUniversity aviation expert Dr Doug Drury is using the opportunity to highlight the efforts of the aviation industry in making travel accessible this festive season.
According to travel estimates, Brisbane is anticipating a staggering 3.7 million travellers; Sydney is set to welcome two million; and Melbourne is preparing for 1.6 million holidaymakers.
With this anticipated surge in travel, Dr Drury emphasised the need for careful planning and early arrival at airports.
"The number of travelling Australians this holiday season will be quite large, and it's crucial for passengers to be well-prepared," Dr Drury said.
"Always ensure that you get to the airport early! Allow 90 minutes for domestic flights and two hours for international flights to account for potential disruptions."
While one of the primary concerns for travellers is the possibility of flight delays or cancellations due to weather or maintenance issues, Dr Drury explained pilots collaborate with airport staff and air traffic control to ensure a smooth experience for all passengers.
“Pilots navigate the skies daily and are well-accustomed to their routines, but they too, must contend with potential delays.
“Please don't take out your frustrations on airline or airport staff. Stressful travel begins at home so make sure that you are ready to go and are expecting delays,” he said.
“Airports across the country mobilise additional staff to try to accommodate the influx of passengers, however only so many airplanes can fit into the area at once.
“As a workaround, airports introduce extra time slots to manage the surge effectively.”
Dr Drury encouraged everyone to embrace the spirit of the season and navigate travel with patience and preparedness.
“Don't assume all your luggage and gifts will fit in the overhead bins. Pack light and avoid placing expensive or fragile gifts in checked bags.
“Enjoy the holidays and make the travel experience smoother for yourself and those around you."
