Security screeners at Sydney Airport plan to walk off the job twice on Friday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 8 a.m. and again from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sydney time. It's the third Sydney Airport strike this month, and the walkouts are timed to two of the airport's busiest stretches of the day. Screening will stay open, but with fewer staff, lines could move much more slowly than usual.
Latest Updates
Friday, Oct. 30, 3:05 p.m. AEDT (12:05 a.m. ET Friday): With the evening walkout set to begin at 4:30 p.m., there are still no cancellations at Sydney Airport. Some afternoon departures have been running late: of 27 flights that left between about 1:10 and 2:40 p.m., roughly half pushed back more than 15 minutes behind schedule, according to our own analysis of flight-tracking data. That’s before the second walkout starts, so it isn’t linked to the strike. The walkout runs until 7:30 p.m., during the evening rush. If you’re flying out tonight, get to the airport early and allow extra time for security.
Friday, Oct. 30, 12:50 p.m. AEDT (9:50 p.m. ET Thursday): The morning walkout ended at 8 a.m. without disrupting flights, and departures are still running normally at midday. None of the last 30 departures has been canceled, according to our own analysis of flight-tracking data. The second walkout runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., right in the evening rush, so if you’re flying out this afternoon or tonight, get to the airport early and allow extra time for security.
Friday, Oct. 30, 7:05 a.m. AEDT (4:05 p.m. ET Thursday): An hour into the busiest part of the morning, the strike still isn’t slowing flights. All 22 departures since 6 a.m. left within 15 minutes of schedule, according to our own analysis of flight-tracking data, and none have been canceled. The morning walkout ends at 8 a.m. The second runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 6:25 a.m. AEDT (3:25 p.m. ET Thursday): So far, the strike isn’t slowing flights. None of the first eight departures after 6 a.m. left more than 15 minutes late, according to our own analysis of flight-tracking data, and no cancellations have been reported. The busiest stretch of the morning is still ahead, so allow extra time if you’re flying out before 8 a.m. The second walkout runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 5:40 a.m. AEDT (2:40 p.m. ET Thursday): The strike is underway. Sydney’s first departures of the day leave from around 6 a.m., so the real test of security lines is just starting. Allow extra time. The morning walkout ends at 8 a.m., and the second runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 4:30 a.m. AEDT (1:30 p.m. ET Thursday): The strike is going ahead. Security screening staff will walk off the job from 5 to 8 a.m. and from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. today. Screening will stay open with fewer staff, so airlines are warning of longer lines rather than cancellations. Qantas and Jetstar have flagged the domestic terminals, T2 and T3, but international passengers should also allow extra time, since T1 was affected in the last strike on Oct. 16. Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex are all letting Sydney passengers move to Thursday or Saturday without a change fee. Qantas may charge a fare difference, and Virgin and Rex won’t on the same fare type. Rex passengers can call 13 17 13, and Virgin passengers 13 67 89.
Thursday, 2:30 p.m. Sydney time (11:30 p.m. Wednesday ET): Qantas is now letting passengers move Friday flights out of Sydney’s domestic terminals for free. To qualify, your flight has to depart Friday, Oct. 30, and have been booked before that day. That covers Qantas flights from Terminal 3 and Jetstar domestic flights sold with a Qantas flight number from Terminal 2. You can switch to a flight on the same route in the same cabin on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, though you may have to pay any difference in fare. Jetstar has confirmed its own free changes to flights between Oct. 29 and 31 through Manage Booking. Both terminals will open from 3 a.m. Friday, and both airlines say to arrive earlier than usual and check in online.
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. Sydney time (5:30 p.m. Wednesday ET): Virgin Australia and, reportedly, Jetstar are letting passengers booked out of Sydney on Friday move to another day for free. Jetstar has warned of possible security delays at Domestic Terminal 2. Sydney Airport hasn't announced any changes to flight schedules.
When It Hits
The two stoppages run from 5 to 8 a.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sydney time. If you're keeping track from the US, that's 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday and 1:30 to 4:30 a.m. Friday in New York.
During the first round of action this month, on Oct. 16, both the domestic and international terminals were affected, so it's safest to assume either could be slow on Friday. Sydney Airport's advice during that round was to "allow extra time and stay alert for messages from your airline."
Why Security Is Striking
The screeners work for Certis, the company Sydney Airport contracts to run security, and they're represented by the Transport Workers' Union. They want more full-time jobs, fairer rosters and no cuts to their hours. The union says Certis plans to reduce workers' minimum hours by six hours a week, and that years of cost-cutting have left many staff working second jobs.
Certis says it's negotiating in good faith and made a new offer before the first walkout. The union has also called on Sydney Airport to step in, though the airport isn't part of the talks. With no deal yet, more strike dates are possible.
If You're Flying Out of Sydney Friday
If your flight leaves during or just after either strike window, the simplest fix may be to move it. Virgin Australia is letting passengers switch to Thursday or Saturday for free on Virgin-operated flights, as long as they stay in the same fare type. On partner airlines' international flights booked through Virgin, the change fee is waived, but you'll pay any difference in fare. Jetstar is reportedly offering free moves to Thursday, Saturday or another flight Friday, depending on availability. If you're flying Qantas or another airline, check with it directly for Friday's options.
If you're keeping your flight, get to the airport well ahead of your usual time, especially for an early-morning departure or an evening international flight. Check in online, travel with carry-on only if you can, and keep an eye on your airline's app for updates on Friday. It's a busy day for strikes overall, with a strike in Italy the same day, so if you're connecting through Europe, check both legs.
