Update on major airport amid ‘bomb cyclone'

Yahoo

01-07-2025

Sydney Airport is now operating only a single runway as a 'bomb cyclone' smashing NSW wreaks havoc for travellers.
Airlines including Virgin and Jetstar have cancelled numerous flights throughout Tuesday as the low pressure system brings heavy rainfall and blistering winds to Sydney and long stretches of the state's east coast.
Airservices Australia has confirmed single runway operations are now in place at Sydney Airport due to strong southwesterly winds.
'This adheres to our International Civil Aviation Organisation safety regulations for runway usage amid inclement weather,' a spokesperson said.
'Safety is Airservices' number one remit - this decision is purely weather- and safety-related to safeguard the travelling public.
'Delays are expected. We will continue to work closely with industry to minimise impacts for the travelling public.
'Decisions regarding flight cancellations are a matter for individual airlines.'
The powerful weather event will likely bring another day of chaos for Australian travellers, with warnings from the SES on Tuesday afternoon that the 'situation is going to worsen' through the next 24 hours.
Virgin Australia had cancelled 12 flights by about 8am on Tuesday, with another several delayed.
'Some services on Virgin Australia's network have been impacted by adverse weather in Sydney and Newcastle today,' a Virgin spokesperson said.
'The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and our meteorologists continue to closely monitor the weather system.
'We regret the impact of this on guests' travel plans and are working hard to ensure they reach their destination safely and as soon as possible.
'We encourage guests travelling today and tomorrow to keep an eye on the status of their flight via our website or app.'
A Jetstar spokesperson said the airline had cancelled eight flights on Tuesday morning and were experiencing delays on numerous other routes to and from NSW.
'Our teams are closely monitoring the situation and working hard to minimise disruption where possible,' they said.
'We are communicating directly with impacted customers and encourage all travellers to check the status of their flight (via our website) or the Jetstar app before heading to the airport.
'We thank our customers for their patience and understanding.'
The 'bomb cyclone' or 'bombogenesis' system was forecast to hit Sydney and lengthy stretches of the NSW coast from Tuesday, bringing significant rainfall and blistering winds.
Flight routes between major cities Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne have been among the worst-affected as the weather system bears down.
Sydney Airport enacted its ground delay program earlier on Tuesday, meaning fewer flights would be able to land at the major airport.
A Sydney Airport spokesperson said earlier on Tuesday taht the severe weather forecast was being closely monitored.
'There may be impacts to flight schedules, and we recommend passengers check with their airline regarding the status of their flight,' they said.
Qantas says they are also monitoring the weather event 'very closely' and anticipates 'some cancellations' in and out of Sydney.
The airline says customers will be contacted directly if there are changes to their flights, and that safety was always their top priority.
The flights chaos comes only a day after Sydney Airport released a report predicting the upcoming school holidays would be the busiest on record for international travel, with millions of passengers expected to travel through the airport this week alone.
'Sydney Airport is gearing up for a bumper school holiday period, with almost 2.6 million passengers expected to travel through the terminals between Monday, June 30 to Sunday, July 20, 2025,' the report read.
'On the domestic front, more than 1.5 million passengers will travel through the T2 and T3 domestic terminals, up 4 per cent on 2024.'
Sydney's public transport network has also been affected, with hourly services between Manly and Circular Quay cancelled until at least 7.45pm on Tuesday.
Swells are expected to reach up to 5m in the next two days.
The Palm Beach to Ettalong and Wagstaffe ferries have also been diverted to Patonga until Thursday due to the large swells.
Transport for NSW Coordinator-General Howard Collins warned those who needed to travel to 'prepare, stay informed and most importantly drive to the conditions'.
'Whether you're travelling by car or catching public transport please allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination,' he said.
'Don't drive, walk or cycle through flood waters, watch out for storm debris on the road, and if weather conditions become too severe, find a safe place to stop and wait until it passes.'
NSW Maritime is advising boaters to stay ashore and avoid non-essential boating activity over the coming days. A coastal hazard warning for damaging surf and gale to storm force south to southwesterly winds extends from the Mid-North Coast to the South Coast.
More to come