Sydney Airport is preparing for one of its busiest times of the year, with nearly 2.7 million passengers set to travel through the terminals between 21 September and 11 October 2026.
Domestic travel is leading the peak, with 1.64 million passengers forecast through T2 and T3, up almost four per cent on last year. More than one million passengers will pass through T1 International.
The peak also coincides the NRL Grand Final, with fans join families already heading away for the school holidays and October long weekend.
Friday 2 October is expected to be the busiest day with close to 94,000 passengers forecast through T2 and T3. The international peak is expected the day before on Thursday 1 October, with more than 52,000 travellers through T1.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “The September school holidays are one of the busiest times of the year at the airport, with families, friends and holidaymakers making the most of the break and warmer weather.”
Sydney number one with NZ holidaymakers
Air New Zealand is preparing to carry around 170,000 passengers to Australia from 24 September and 11 October 2026, with Sydney the most popular international destination for school holiday travel.
To help meet demand, Air New Zealand has added more seats on some of its most popular routes. Compared with the same holiday period last year, there are 23 per cent more seats between Auckland and Sydney.
Air New Zealand Chief Operations Officer - Ground and Inflight Kate Boyer said: “We'll have families heading away, kids flying on their own to see grandparents, people travelling for some big events, and plenty of Kiwi making the most of the break.
“Behind the scenes, thousands of our people will be working across the network to keep everything moving, and we're looking forward to getting everyone where they need to be.”
The trans-Tasman action will continue with the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on 17 October. Air New Zealand has added nearly 1000 seats for the weekend.
