Strong winds force closure of runways at Sydney Airport amid busy weekend

Strong winds have forced the closure of some runways at Sydney Airport, causing up to 90-minute flight delays during one of the busiest weekends of the year.

The two north-south runways have not been in operation due to the weather, meaning all departures and arrivals are operating on the single east-west runway.

This has impacted both domestic and international services as flights have been prioritised and rescheduled on the single runway.

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Sydney Airport are hoping to get the two closed runways operational again by 8pm tonight, based on current forecasts.

However, Senior Meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology Jordan Notara told 9News.com.au Easter Sunday travellers could experience more of the same.

"Tomorrow winds will be strong again in the morning before settling," Notara said.

Earlier in the day, delays for departures were as long as 90-minutes but by 6pm they were sitting between 20-40 minutes, with arrivals running on time.

"Sydney Airport is experiencing some traffic delays due to increasing westerly winds," an Airservices Australia spokesperson said.

"This has resulted in one runway in use until wind conditions improve."

The delays have been caused by westerly wind speeds of around 50 kilometres an hour at Sydney Airport, with strongest gusts of 63km/h recorded throughout the afternoon.

Notara told 9News.com.au the warm weather was increasing the speed of the winds but said as the temperature drops in the afternoon and evening, so will the wind.

No flights have been cancelled, and anyone with questions about their flight is advised to contact the airline directly, rather than the airport.

The delays come amid a busy weekend of travel, with people taking advantage of the four-day Easter break to head both interstate and overseas.

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