Australia: Travellers face lengthy delays at Sydney and Melbourne airports before long weekend

Tens of thousands of Australians are flocking to airports across the nation for a getaway over the Queen’s birthday long weekend, sparking queues and delays. Melbourne airport is bracing for its busiest day since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, with more than 95,000 passengers expected to travel on Friday. There were long lines to check-in for Virgin flights early on Friday morning, with several routes cancelled or delayed. Congestion at the airport has since eased but passengers have been urged to plan ahead and arrive early as terminals are likely to be busy all day. “We’re advising passengers to arrive between one and two hours before a domestic flight and two to three hours before international flights to allow plenty of time for check-in and to clear security,” a Melbourne airport spokesperson said. In Sydney, where more than 80,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport on Friday, queues began to build about 5am.<br/>