Sydney Airport security screening may slow on 30 October during industrial action by Certis staff

Passengers departing Sydney Airport on Friday 30 October 2026 may face delays at security screening because of planned industrial action by some employees of Certis, the airport's security screening provider, according to an update published by Virgin Australia on 27 October.

The action is scheduled in two windows, from 5:00am to 8:00am and from 4:30pm to 7:30pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Virgin Australia says security screening will remain open during those periods but may operate at reduced capacity, which means the morning and early-evening departure banks are the ones most exposed to longer queues.

The airline is allowing guests booked to depart Sydney on 30 October to move their travel to Thursday 29 or Saturday 31 October. On Virgin Australia-operated domestic and international services the change is free of charge, without a change fee or fare difference, if the guest stays in the same fare type. On partner-operated international services sold by Virgin Australia the change fee is waived, but any fare difference applies. Rebooking is subject to availability and must be completed at least 60 minutes before a Virgin Australia departure, or three hours before a partner international departure.

The update does not say how many flights, if any, will be cancelled, nor how long queues are expected to be. Passengers flying with other airlines should check the conditions set by their own carrier and allow extra time at the airport on the day.