Traveller chaos: Melbourne Airport struggling with ‘unprecedented’ demand

Melbourne Airport is thronging with holiday crowds and travellers are experiencing lengthy delays as airlines struggle to cope with demand.

Some people have missed their flights, while others have been forced to sleep at the airport overnight.

CEO of Victorian Tourism Industry Council, Felicia Mariani, says staff shortages underpin the problem, but “the reality is we’re seeing unprecedented travel right now”.

“The issues that we’re seeing are not really due to any infrastructure difficulties at the airport, it’s actually just really obviously challenges with human resources,” she told Tony Jones, filling in for Neil Mitchell.

“We’re seeing a huge resurgence of travel all of a sudden, we’re seeing the convergence of three incredible events happening at one time with F1, Easter and school holidays, and sitting underneath all of this is really just the fact that we are struggling to find the staff we need.”

Victorian authorities will work with airlines to clarify rules around COVID-19 close contacts in the travel industry, in a bid to address staff shortages.

Under the exemption rules which have been in place since January, which do apply to air transport services workers including pilots, crew, airport security and baggage handlers can still work if they’re close-contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Press PLAY below to hear what’s causing the lengthy delays 

Melbourne Airport this morning… delays and cancellations, people forced to sleep here overnight with baggage issues today due to sheer volume. Staff doing their best to help families, kids having meltdowns all morning… @TheTodayShow pic.twitter.com/qFlrevnoSU

— Izabella Staskowski (@IzaStaskowski) April 11, 2022

Image: Izabella Staskowski