Sydney Airport chokes tourism Industry

[Mal]

I see a new reason every 6 months or so as to why tourist numbers aren't as good as they should be.

Some of the ones I recall being trotted out:

Not enough advertising.
Xenophobic reputation/Pauline factor.
Strong Australian $/Weak local currency in overseas source markets.
Ansett's demise.
Poor targetting of advertising.
Overseas tourists being encouraged to holiday at home.
Overseas tourists being poached by certain countries.
Economic worries in key source countries.
Length of journey to Australia

I spose I can add "Sydney Airport" to the list now. Wonder who/what will be blamed in about 6 months time.

Sydney airport is a total shamble, but I don't think that is a key issue (look at Heathrow!). Airfare prices are an issue, but not a primary concern to most travellers (the entire cost of the package is the issue, not the lead in airfares)

 

[dajop]

I return through SYD airport from most overseas trips, at various times of the day/night, and I am home in less than 1 hour from the time of disembarking the aircraft. Where are the issues? Where are the lengthy queues?

Ditto from MEL - usually home in less than an hour from landing.

But really, even if the queues are horrendous they're hardly a reason to avoid coming here (unless planning a quick day/weekend trip - and that's only going to really be an issue for NZ'ers).

 

[simongr]

My worst experiences of queues at SYD have been outbound immigration and inbound quarantine. A problem remedied by the epas now available to premium pax

I dont like the way that you are thrust into Duty Free before you get to the lounge but that is probably convenient for some people.

Past the escalator to the lounge I am not sure what else there is at SYD...

 

[Dave Noble]

I dont like the way that you are thrust into Duty Free before you get to the lounge but that is probably convenient for some people.

You can always go up the staircase to the mezzanine immediately after the security point and not have to navigate the DF shop

Dave

 

[simongr]

I know - that just seems like sneaking and I dont want to be caught sneaking near security

When I said I dont like it I actually meant as a concept I think it is wrong. I am normally walking such a pace that I slide through the DF and into the lounge with barely noticing it.

 

[NM]

The biggest problem in my mind is the inbound quarantine queues in the mornings. This is one reason I always try to arrive anywhere other than SYD.

 

[JohnK]

My worst experiences of queues at SYD have been outbound immigration and inbound quarantine. A problem remedied by the epas now available to premium pax

I still don't get it. OK granted I do not travel as much as most people here and maybe I only travel at convenient times.

On my last 2 departures from SYD international I was in the Qantas F Lounge less than 10 minutes after being dropped off at the terminal. So that is check-in, immigration, security and long walk through duty free.

On my last arrival I was selected for secondary screening as soon as I exited immigration, which took around 20 minutes with 2 bags, and I was still home in less than 1 hour. The taxi trip home is around 15 minutes. Oh, and I purchased duty free which took more than 5 minutes as they were having trouble swiping my Amex credit card which is just about to expire.

 

[Mal]

The biggest problem in my mind is the inbound quarantine queues in the mornings. This is one reason I always try to arrive anywhere other than SYD.

I feel Brisbane is worse. Friends (not so much me) have taken 1 hour+ after arriving on an ex-Asia flight. Plus of course, I don't like certain staff in Brisbane either, and prefer the anonymity of Sydney (barring Border Patrol filming that day!)

 

[simongr]

I still don't get it. OK granted I do not travel as much as most people here and maybe I only travel at convenient times.

On my last 2 departures from SYD international I was in the Qantas F Lounge less than 10 minutes after being dropped off at the terminal. So that is check-in, immigration, security and long walk through duty free.

On my last arrival I was selected for secondary screening as soon as I exited immigration, which took around 20 minutes with 2 bags, and I was still home in less than 1 hour. The taxi trip home is around 15 minutes. Oh, and I purchased duty free which took more than 5 minutes as they were having trouble swiping my Amex credit card which is just about to expire.

I have to say my last experience the epass through immigration wasnt necessary but did help with security. My first few experiences of outbound immigration were I think SYD-LAX flights and immigration took 30 mins outbound.

Inward I am normally into the quarantine queue within 10 mins of landing (including duty free) and it was regularly taking 30 mins to get through quarantine which is not the end of the work but is still a long time after a 10 hour flight.

 

[NM]

I feel Brisbane is worse. Friends (not so much me) have taken 1 hour+ after arriving on an ex-Asia flight. Plus of course, I don't like certain staff in Brisbane either, and prefer the anonymity of Sydney (barring Border Patrol filming that day!)

My last two entries in BNE have been no problem with queues. My APEC card mean no waiting at all for immigration processing. Then the trick is to make sure you catch the attention of one of the customs/quarantine officers wandering around the baggage claims. They look at your customs declaration card, ask a few questions, and if all is in order they stamp your customs card and direct you to use lane C (far right end) when leaving - no queues or x-ray, just walk out.

My biggest wait at BNE this morning was for my bag to be delivered (maybe 5-6 mins wait). The rest was just walking straight through. I'll that that any day over all my SYD experiences.