'Arrive early': 10 million travellers expected through airports this Christmas

That's the advice from Australia's two major airports as they prepare to break records with more than 10 million passengers expected over the Christmas and New Year period.

The six weeks from Friday, December 13, 2024, to Monday, January 27, 2025, will be the busiest period for international travel at Sydney Airport since before the pandemic, reaching 99 per cent of 2019 levels.

The airport expects 2.5 million international passengers and 3.3 million domestic passengers to pass through its doors this holiday season.

The busiest day for domestic travel will be Friday, December 13, with 80,000 passengers expected, while the major day for international travel will be Saturday, January 4, 2025, when 62,000 passengers are expected through the terminals.

Sydney Airport advised passengers to plan ahead and allow plenty of time for their journey to the airport.

Arrive at least one hour before your domestic flight if you have only hand luggage, two hours if you have check-in bags, or three hours before your international flight.

For those planning to park, early bookings are advised to secure a spot.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the airport was increasing staff levels to handle the queues.

The "significant construction works" taking place around the airport could affect passenger journeys.

"We strongly encourage passengers to plan ahead and allow ample time for their journey," Mr Charlton said.

The same period at Melbourne Airport is expected to usher in the busiest summer ever with 1.8 million international travellers anticipated alongside 3 million domestic passengers.

Virgin Australia and Jetstar are forecasting their busiest summer in Melbourne on record while international carriers including China Airlines and LATAM have added extra capacity.

The top five international destinations from Melbourne this season are Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Auckland and Bali.

Melbourne Airport is upgrading its terminal and road infrastructure and is recommending passengers add an extra 30 minutes to their travel time.

Meanwhile, passengers won't be the only ones moving through the airports. Qantas is preparing to transport 50,000 tonnes of international and domestic freight for the festive season.

Freight volumes are expected to be up five per cent compared to 2023 as online shopping continues to boom.

The national carrier's freight fleet will fly an additional 550 hours across the domestic network to ensure gifts and ingredients arrive on time for Christmas.

Qantas Freight executive manager Igor Kwiatkowski said they were bringing six Qantas Freight A321 freighters online - including one gift wrapped as "Santa's Freight" - to deliver more than 50 million kilograms of cargo.

"We'll be spending the next few weeks flying gifts, cards, and perishables like mangoes and prawns across the country, and the world, and we're delighted to play this important role for what is a really special time for families," Mr Kwiatkowski said.

Other items being freighted this Christmas include live, fresh and frozen lobsters, fresh-cut flowers, beef, pork and lamb, and even cars and F1 vehicles.