This was published 3 years ago
Sydney coronavirus outbreak: Sydney Airport deserted in the lead up to Christmas
By Natasha May
Travel restrictions have left Sydney Airport virtually empty in the lead up to Christmas - what is normally one of the busiest weeks of the year. Credit: Rhett Wyman
"Eerie" is how Ethan Labza described the scene at Sydney Airport on Tuesday morning.
Labza, a real estate agent from Elsternwick in Melbourne, flies to Coffs Harbour to be with his family at Christmas every year. He is used to the "hectic" environment of Sydney Airport at this time of year, but that's not the case in 2020.
In what would normally be one of the busiest weeks of the year for Sydney Airport, its terminals have been left practically deserted after the rest of Australia closed its borders to the city due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Real estate agent Ethan Labza, flying to Coffs Harbour, described the airport as 'eerie'.Credit: Rhett Wyman
This week the airport expected to see 4000 domestic flights, but it is now estimating just 15 to 20 per cent of that.
Souvenir shop Merchant had served just two customers by midday Tuesday and just 16 all-up on Monday. This time last year they were serving about 5000 people a day.
Archana Shrestha, who works at the airport eatery Sumo Salad said she had only served 12 customers. Last Christmas she would typically serve 300 customers by midday each day.
Veet Karen sits in a near-empty depature lounge before her flight to Ballina. Credit: Rhett Wyman
Ms Shrestha said the airport had been very busy last week and the week before.
"It's very sad and disappointing because we had hoped everything would return to normal," she said.
Veet Karen flew home from her Melbourne holiday seated next to flight attendants also returning home for Christmas, having had their work for the rest of the week cancelled.
Archana Shrestha said she had served just 12 customers by midday on Tuesday.Credit: Rhett Wyman
"I like that the airport is quiet. I hate normally being jostled in with everyone, but I feel so sorry for businesses and air hosts who once again don't have employment" says Ms Karen, who runs a vegan cooking school in Byron Bay.
Although numbers are down, the airport has put in place various COVID-19 safety protocols including more than 100 digital screens encouraging social distancing, updating their website and social media channels with links to the latest government health and travel information, as well as offering complimentary masks for passengers who have not brought their own.
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