SYDNEY, Australia, October 15, 2026 — Security screeners at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) plan to walk off the job twice on Friday, October 16. The stoppages cover the morning and evening peaks at both the domestic and international terminals. Crisis talks were set for today, and the outcome had not been announced at the time of writing.
What is happening
- Who: Hundreds of security workers employed by the contractor Certis, represented by the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU).
- When: Friday, October 16, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time.
- Where: Domestic and international terminals, the TWU says. Which checkpoints or lanes will be short-staffed: TBA.
- Why: The workers want more full-time jobs, fairer rosters and no cuts to part-time hours. Travel Weekly reports some are rostered only 20 to 32 hours a week.
- Talks: Emergency bargaining talks were scheduled for Thursday, October 15. Whether the strike is called off: TBA.
- Not the first time: Certis screening staff also struck at Sydney in September 2026, Australian Aviation reports.
What the airport says
Sydney Airport says it is working with all parties to limit disruption. It has rostered extra baggage and passenger facilitation staff and is asking travelers to “allow extra time and stay alert for messages from their airline.”
Strike windows at a glance
| Date | Time (local) | Terminals |
|---|---|---|
| Fri Oct 16 | 6 a.m.–10 a.m. | Domestic and international |
| Fri Oct 16 | 5 p.m.–9 p.m. | Domestic and international |
What it means for non-revs
- Get to the airport early on Friday. Both windows hit the busiest departure banks, so security lines may be long even with contingency staff.
- Avoid tight connections through SYD on Friday. Slow screening for transfer passengers can mean misconnects, and the next flight may already be full.
- Pick flights outside the strike windows if you can. A midday departure gives you the best chance of a normal trip through security.
- Carry on. The airport is adding baggage staff, but a slow day makes bags more likely to miss a flight.
- Check for news Thursday night. If today’s talks produce an offer, the strike could be called off.
Sources
- Transport Workers’ Union — Sydney Airport must step in: security workers take further strike action for job security
- Australian Aviation — More security strikes loom for Sydney Airport
- Travel Weekly — ‘Our fight is not with the public’: Further Sydney Airport strikes planned days before WSI opens
- KarryOn — “Allow extra time and stay alert”: Sydney Airport warns travellers of Friday strikes
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