Crosswind chaos: Sydney Airport closes all but one runway, warns of delays

Sydney, Australia - March 4, 2013: Smoke coming from the wheels of an Embraer plane operated by Virgin Blue as it touches down on the runway at Sydney Airport.
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Sydney Airport has made the call to close all but one runway and warned travellers to expect delays after savage winds ripped through the Botany area this morning.

    Airservices Australia said the decision to enact single runway operations on/off at the airport is purely weather and safety-related.

    “It is recommended that passengers reach out to their airlines,” an Airservices Australia spokesperson, said.

    The decision comes after winds of over 100 km/h were reported in Sydney on Monday night leaving around 13,000 properties without power this morning.

    2GB reported the wind in Western Sydney being so powerful it resulted in an overturned plane at Bankstown Airport.

    Nightly stakeholder meetings are held at Sydney Airport to establish the next days air traffic management plan.

    With winds expected to ease shift throughout the day, flights should return to normal tomorrow.

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