West Australians hoping to jet away over the coming school holidays are likely to face travel delays — with passport hold-ups adding to the woes of those bound for overseas destinations.
Almost one million people are set to transit through Perth Airport over the next month, where long queues are expected as the industry tackles a critical worker shortage.
WA school holidays begin this weekend, and pent up demand from those looking to travel has put an extra layer of stress on the system.
While Perth Airport is urging passengers to expect longer wait times in coming weeks, the long queues have already begun elsewhere.
Passport queues continue
Meanwhile, makeshift barricades have been put up to manage crowds queuing up outside the Australian Passport Office in Perth's CBD.
Lengthy passport delays have affected many expectant travellers around the country, with growing demand for overseas travel causing backlogs in processing at the Australian Passport Office.
Lisa Bagier was one of those at the Perth office this week, and managed to have someone hold her spot in the queue so she could go for a bathroom break.
She hopes her youngest child's new passport will be ready in time for their family trip to Singapore.
"Initially we didn't think there was going to be any issues whatsoever," she said.
Some of those fortunate enough to be leaving the Passport Office said they had been there for more than three hours.
"I've got a three hour parking ticket. Let's hope I get in within the three hours," Ms Bagier said.
But those in line for their passports may soon have to face another long queue.
Airport delays likely: union
Transport Workers Union WA secretary Tim Dawson said critical worker shortages in the industry means delays were inevitable during peak periods.
"Unfortunately we'll see delays. We'll see people frustrated ... people's luggage has gone missing," he said.
"This is what's happened around the country."
A large proportion of the airport support workforce are new to the job, after experienced workers were laid off during the COVID pandemic
"[It's] a massive stress. We've got a lot of new employees out there who are going through training," Mr Dawson said.
"It's going to be a massive stretch on the airport itself.
"Every time there's an uptick in people travelling, we've had massive hold ups."
Allow more time at airport
Perth Airport CEO Kevin Brown anticipates slight delays, but urged travellers not to panic.
"It's probably similar to the Easter holidays ... we managed to deal with that without too many hiccups," he said.
"Just give yourself a little bit of time longer coming to the airport – maybe up to three hours before your departure internationally, a couple of hours before for domestic."
Mr Brown said the almost one million passengers expected over the next month is only about 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, but COVID-related absenteeism was still affecting operations.
"We're still dealing with people who are unwell with COVID, across ourselves and our business partners."
Perth Airport has implemented several measures in the lead up to the school holiday period, with extra contractors to be brought in, and a pause on construction that may disrupt passengers.
"There's extra hands on deck ... extra resources to help with preparing people and getting through the airport," Mr Brown said.
