Easter bag hunt: travellers left without luggage as airport staff shortages bite

Travellers visiting friends and family for the Easter long weekend could be left without their luggage for days as airlines and airports continue to struggle with staff shortages.

The busy holiday travel period combined with Covid isolation orders and a workforce cut and outsourced during the pandemic has resulted in chaotic scenes at airports across Australia, and many passengers arriving at their destinations without their luggage.

Guardian Australia reported on Thursday that some planes were only being half loaded with checked luggage to ensure flights were not significantly delayed, with passengers told to expect their luggage in the coming days.

The bags would be put on later flights and then sent to customers by courier.

Despite warnings from airlines and airports to get in early, long queues at check-in counters were reported again on Friday as more travellers set off on their long weekends.

Customers had been warned to arrive three hours ahead of their flights as airports around the country expected to remain busy over the Easter and school holiday period.

It is the second week in a row of airport delays, with the Easter long weekend adding to the delays experienced during the first week of school holidays.