Christmas travel rush slams airports

Millions of people will pass through Australia's airports this Christmas, with travellers being urged to be patient if delays occur.

It's the first Christmas without any restrictions since the pandemic and Australians are taking advantage, with domestic travel bouncing back to more than 90 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Sydney Airport is expecting 2.2 million passengers during the peak holiday period of December 12 until New Years Day, with 60 additional staff added to help corral the crowds and help priority passengers.

Melbourne Airport is registering roughly 100,000 passengers a day in the lead-up to Christmas, with December 24 and Christmas Day itself expected to be slightly quieter.

Passengers can expect delays when claiming their baggage, with a spokeswoman for the airport explaining staffing issues were affecting wait times.

"With fewer staff that just creates a challenge of unloading the planes and getting it to passengers quickly," she said.

"But we've been working with all of the airlines and their ground handling companies and they've been working to build back up their staffing."

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said earlier this month the expectation for the holidays was, "busy but not chaotic".

"Some parts of the operation are still fragile, and we estimate we are around 2000 employees short of where we need to be, but are working hard to make sure most passengers will have a typical pre-COVID Christmas experience," Mr Culbert said.

Passengers are advised to check-in online and arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.

Those travelling with Christmas presents are reminded to pack them in their checked baggage.

"Yule be sorry if your perfectly wrapped gifts need to be unwrapped during security screening if you take them in your carry-on luggage," Sydney Airport said in a statement.

The airport continues to face criticism over staffing issues, with the United Workers Union saying subcontracted and inexperienced security guards are slowing screening.

The union says attendance bonuses for working over Christmas have been revoked and replaced with a single serve of plum pudding.

An airport spokeswoman said the issue should be worked through by the union and security company, Certis.

"We would note there have been no disruptions to operations at the airport today or since the start of the holidays, and 95 per cent of domestic passengers are clearing security screening in less than 10 minutes," she said.

Traveller numbers in Melbourne will peak in the new year on January 6.

"What we think is maybe people are staying around over Christmas and then potentially travelling after Christmas and spending those last few weeks of holidays getting out and about," a Melbourne Airport spokeswoman said.

"And you're going to see a lot people going in around that time for the Australian Open as well. We do see arrivals in January higher than departures." 

Certis Security was contacted for comment.