Long delays at Sydney airport for second day as Qantas CEO blames passengers

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce blamed the chaos on customers for long waits at the airport.

The domestic terminal lines snaked all the way to the entry doors, spilling out to the taxi rank at times as more passengers arrived.

On Thursday night, the chief executive of the airport apologized for the delays, blaming inexperienced passengers and staff shortages.

We are facing a perfect storm at the moment. He said that traffic numbers are picking up, travellers are inexperienced after two years of not travelling, and close contact rules are making it hard to fill shifts and staff the airport.

Joyce said on Friday that passengers were not match fit after an extended period of not travelling.

I went through the airports on Wednesday and people forget to take out their laptops, so it takes them longer to get through the line.

Passengers pointed out that at least three out of eight security lanes were closed on Friday. Greg Hay, the airport's general manager of operations, said that the Easter holiday peak had come while Certis Security Australia was still rebuilding its workforce.

Hay said that the security partner is building up their workforce to make sure smooth and safe operations at the airport as travellers return.

Domestic travellers should arrive two hours ahead of their departure to make sure everyone gets away on time.

After seeing the crowds on Thursday night, Shelagh Bleach, a tourist from the UK, made sure to arrive well before her flight to Brisbane on Friday.

She said that they came very early because they saw how it was on TV. We have been pushed back another hour.

Matt was not worried about the long wait as he was returning to Melbourne after a business trip.

I have everything. I decided to wait. He said that he was not in a rush and had a bit of a break.

This is my first trip in two years. I have never seen it so busy. It was amazing. I think it's the Melbourne Grand Prix. People are travelling and getting on with their lives.

It was good news for people travelling overseas, with the large crowds largely confined to the domestic terminals and operations running as usual.