Airports prepare for mad rush as millions gear up for Christmas travel

After a year plagued with delays and cancellations, Australian airlines and airports will be put to the ultimate test in coming weeks as millions of people prepare to jet off for the Christmas break.

But Sydney Airport General Manager, Greg Hay, told Today he is confident they are prepared for the mad holiday rush.

"It is going to be a big one, there are 2.6 million passengers expected over the next three weeks and 1.1 million passengers through our international doors which is about 30 per cent up on what it was last year," he said.

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"But those passengers can expect security times of less than five minutes for the most part and a really great travel experience."

Greg said he anticipated this will be the biggest Christmas travel period since before the COVID-19 pandemic and after a couple of years of problems including strike action and flight cancellations due to staff shortages and weather issues, his team are prepared for whatever challenges may arise.

"Certainly we hope that everyone sorts things out between them, but we know that with everything that we have gone through in the last couple of years, the airport is certainly ready to handle whatever gets thrown at us," he said.

See the full interview in the video above