Christmas travel fears amid road closures and flight delays

Christmas travel plans have been thrown into chaos ahead of one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Wild weather and thick fog have caused international and domestic delays and flight diversions at Melbourne

Meanwhile, Queenslanders have been warned to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time due to significant construction on a number of busy roads.

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Flights delayed in Melbourne

Multiple flights have been delayed in Melbourne this morning due to heavy fog and wild weather.

Melbourne Airport spokesperson Andrew Lund told 3AW that several flights were diverted to Sydney and Adelaide.

"There's been a lot of airborne holding, so circling if you like, for domestic flights coming into Melbourne just because with the fog so thick," he said.

"We can't get the same number of aircraft on the runways as we usually would."

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Lund said the fog had slowed down operations "significantly".

"The fog is so thick we can't get the same number of aircraft on the runaway as we usually would," he said.

"The airlines will do everything they can do to get back on schedule, but the longer the fog hangs around, the more delays we are going to have.

"We are asking everyone to get to the airport early and be patient and arrive early."

It comes after parts of the airport were flooded after the roof of Terminal 1 leaked due to the heavy rainfall yesterday.

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Queenslanders warned of traffic choas

Roads across Queensland will be impacted by construction, while a post-COVID-19 travel boom will see thousands of families make their way across the border, opting to drive instead of paying for expensive flights.

Queensland locals are also set to hit the road, with the Pacific Motorway and Bruce Highway expected to be bumper-to-bumper by midday Friday.

This is the first Christmas without any COVID-19 restrictions Australia has seen in three years and extra police will be out in force with additional unmarked vehicles sent out.

Police have also warned while there will be a pause on existing roadworks on Queensland motorways, reduced speed fines will also be in effect.