Easter bag hunt: travellers left without luggage as airport staff shortages bite

Travellers visiting friends and family for the Easter long weekend could be left without their luggage for days as airlines and airports continue to struggle with staff shortages.

The busy holiday travel period combined with Covid isolation orders and a workforce cut and outsourced during the pandemic has resulted in chaotic scenes at airports across Australia, and many passengers arriving at their destinations without their luggage.

Guardian Australia reported on Thursday that some planes were only being half loaded with checked luggage to ensure flights were not significantly delayed, with passengers told to expect their luggage in the coming days.

The bags would be put on later flights and then sent to customers by courier.

Despite warnings from airlines and airports to get in early, long queues at check-in counters were reported again on Friday as more travellers set off on their long weekends.

Customers had been warned to arrive three hours ahead of their flights as airports around the country expected to remain busy over the Easter and school holiday period.

It is the second week in a row of airport delays, with the Easter long weekend adding to the delays experienced during the first week of school holidays.

A Qantas spokesperson said Good Friday had been busy for the airline but travellers had heeded the message to arrive early.

More than 200 head office managers volunteered to help out over the long weekend to ease the pressure.

Sydney airport had forecast 79,000 passengers would pass through the airport on Friday, with 56,000, 62,000 and 72,000 predicted for the remainder of the long weekend.

Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide airports have all reported passenger numbers not seen since prior to the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

With the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions, Australians were set to spend $7.1bn this holiday season, according to research conducted by Roy Morgan.

More than four million Australians had planned a trip away this Easter, with 63% travelling within their own state and more than one-third heading interstate.