Chaos at Sydney Airport as wet weather, staff shortages see wait times skyrocket

Staff shortages, wet weather and school holidays have seen Sydney Airport plunged into chaos again today as hundred of thousands of travellers flood through check-in gates.

Huge queues across both domestic and international terminals have seen some passengers wait almost two hours to check-in as NSW's wild weather prompts a wave of anxious Aussies to arrive earlier than normal.

Video captured at the airport has seen queues span more than 100-metres long, with frustrated travellers taking to social media to voice their grievances.

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"This is the worst I've seen these lines so far…. Shambles," one user wrote.

"Domestic is insane! Arrived at 5.40am, took an hour to get to the bag drop, despite having already checked in and printed a bag tag. Took about half an hour to get through security," said another.

A Sydney Airport spokesperson took to Twitter to offer apologies to travellers over the huge delays, which have been exacerbated on the first day of the school holidays.

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"We're really sorry for your frustration," the spokesperson said.

"The aviation industry is experiencing significant COVID-related staff shortages, we're working hard to rebuild our workforce in a really tight jobs market."

Authorities have reminded Aussies that baggage drops for domestic flights do not open until 90 minutes prior to the flight's departure, and it is is not required to arrive earlier than that.

The crammed scenes come days after the mandatory mask rule at Australian airports was lifted, prompting health concerns from some over the amount of maskless travellers in close proximity.