Domestic passengers will soon experience a more seamless experience at Sydney Airport. The $200 million SYD T2 domestic terminal upgrade starts on 1 May 2025, promising improved check-in, faster security and new facilities to move passengers from drop-off to the departure gate in 15 minutes.
First revealed in November 2024, the SYD T2 upgrades will use new technology and facilities to speed up the check-in and security process.
It’s the first major reno in more than 30 years for Australia’s busiest domestic terminal, which serves 17 million passengers annually and was built in the 1990s to accommodate eight million.
Key changes include self-service check-in kiosks and advanced bag drop systems, increasing baggage processing rates by 300 bags per hour to 1,800 bags per hour.
Next-generation security technology and state-of-the-art scanners will allow passengers to leave laptops and aerosols in hand luggage – almost doubling security lane capacity from 235 to 500 passengers an hour – a 113 per cent increase.
Accessibility will also be improved with dedicated security lanes for family and assistance passengers and new lifts post-security for better access to food courts and lounges.
Clearing the check-in bottleneck
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “The upgrades we’re making at the T2 domestic terminal will significantly improve the experience for the 17 million people who use T2 every year.”
“We’ve made great progress on security recently, with all passengers clearing processing in less than 10 minutes, but the bottleneck at check-in can sometimes add 30 to 40 minutes.
“More kiosks and new automated bag drops will streamline the check-in process and, once complete, our aim is for passengers to get from curb to gate within 15 minutes,” he said.
The upgrade will occur in a phased approach with security set for completion by the end of 2025 and check-in works to be finished in late 2026.
To facilitate construction, Rex and Fly Pelican departures will relocate to the T3 domestic terminal from 8 April 2025. Jetstar check-in facilities will also temporarily relocate by 28 April 2025 to share the space currently used by Virgin Australia.
For more info, head to sydneyairport.com.au
