Top five tips for business travellers to navigate busier airports this Easter  

The Easter weekend is among the busiest for the travel industries. Last April saw almost 2.5 million total passengers through Sydney Airport, 2.2 million through Melbourne and 1.5 million through Brisbane, as passengers surged to take advantage of a relatively restriction-free Easter. 

A high volume of travellers is again expected this April: Brisbane Airport alone forecasts a 13 per cent increase in traffic over the next four weeks. A leading corporate travel management company is encouraging business travellers whose trips are coinciding with the long weekend to plan to reduce risks of disruptions with some savvy planning tactics.

Tom Walley, Australia-based seasoned business traveller and Global Managing Director at Corporate Traveller, Australia’s leading travel management company for SMEs and a division of Flight Centre, shares his industry tips to help business travellers navigate busy airports with ease and save money and time.

Tom says: “Business travellers whose trips will carry over into the Easter long weekend will be jostling at airports with leisure travellers embarking on international holidays, long weekends, and journeys across Australia to see family and loved ones.

“Busy airports are welcome in our industry, but they can be overwhelming if you’re not prepared or well equipped to navigate through the crowds. I’ve learned over the years how best to prepare for long lines, delays and crowds with some handy tips and travel resources.

“This year, Corporate Traveller’s business travel booking data shows the busiest corporate travel days during this period will be Monday 3 April, followed by Tuesday 11 April. However, business travellers should expect to encounter an increased amount of airport traffic from Thursday 6 April through to Tuesday 11 April, as a proportion of leisure travellers may take a five or six-day break.

“Our data also shows that Sydney is the top domestic destination for business travellers, followed by Brisbane, then Melbourne – the Golden Triangle at the heart of things once again. Historically, all these airports receive large volumes of travellers over holidays like Easter.

“No one wants to arrive at their destination stressed or distracted from the rest of their trip, but by taking a little extra time to prepare for your airport routine, your experience will be much more seamless – and you may pick up some savings.”

1) Plan your journey to and from the airport Most major airports have a rail link, with the airport train taking travellers directly inside the terminal. However, you are at the mercy of sometimes unreliable public transport, so familiarise yourself with the timetable and choose a train that will get you to the airport 60-90 minutes before you need to be there. The same with car transport: you are likely to experience heavy traffic to the airport, so give yourself an extra 60-90 minutes to get there. The mode of transport you choose will depend on your needs and the proximity of transport between your home or business site and the airport.

2) Pre-order your airport parking and shopping Airport car parks will be busier in the days leading up to, and after, Easter, so it may be worthwhile booking your parking space days in advance. Most airport parking offers online discounts. At Sydney Airport, can save up to 70 per cent1. The same goes for duty free airport shopping. Many airports have an order-ahead service, with discounts, for food, drink, beauty, and fashion items – ideal if you would like to organise a gift for a client you are meeting.

3) Get to know your airline’s T&Cs To avoid potential issues at check-in, check the rules of the airline, particularly if you haven’t flown with them before. Every airline has their own rules for check-in, bag-drop, and carry-on luggage. Most airlines open online check-in 24-48 hours before departure for example, JetStar domestic online check-in opens 48 hours before departure, and closes 35 minutes before departure.2 Most online check-in for international flights close two hours before departure, and in rare cases you may be required to check-in at the airport. Carry-on luggage weight and allowances also vary, with some airlines allowing a cabin bag and a personal item on top, and maximum weights range from 7kg up to 23kg.

4) Take carry-on baggage only If you have check-in luggage, most airlines recommend you check your baggage in at least one hour before departure for domestic flights and at least two hours before international flights. Easter airport traffic, however, can have you queuing for longer, which is why airports are advising adding an hour onto your pre-departure schedule. If you can, opt for carry-on luggage so that you can head straight through security if you have your boarding pass ready. This reduces the time spent at either end of your airport journey (waiting in line for bag-drop and on arrival at baggage claim) and reduces the risk of your luggage getting damaged, lost, or stolen. For extended trips that require check-in baggage, some airlines open bag-drop up to 24 hours before departure, which is worth considering if you can make a trip to the airport the evening before your flight.

5) Stay alert in real time with mobile apps Many airlines and travel management companies provide an app to update bookings and track flights, such as Corporate Traveller’s Mobile Travel Assistant.3 These apps ensure you are on the front-foot with any last-minute changes to your plans and prepare you for any travel disruptions. Other innovative apps, such as LoungeBuddy, allow you to reserve access to airport lounges across the world, providing an escape from the Easter crowds and a quiet place to get some work done before departure.