The number and frequency of flights will vary on a daily, weekly and yearly basis due to differences in airline schedules. The airlines schedule flights in response to consumer demand.
Busy times of day
The busiest times of day tend to be in the morning and evening as business travellers arrange their flights to coincide with business hours at their destinations. At these times it is not unusual for flights to arrive and depart every few minutes.
Busy times of the week
Monday mornings and Friday afternoons and evenings are very busy times for Sydney Airport, largely due to business travel. Sunday afternoon is also a busy time.
Busy times of the year
Easter, Christmas/New Year, Lunar New Year and school holidays generally see an increase in aircraft movements because the airlines will schedule additional flights to meet the extra demand for travel during these times. You are likely to notice increased frequency of movements during these periods.
Arrivals during peak periods
During peak periods at Sydney Airport the parallel runways will always be used because using both runways at the same time allows the most aircraft to be moved through the airport.
This means that, when the parallel runways are being used in a southerly direction (south flow) during peak periods, your area will experience aircraft noise.
Peak periods tend to be 7am to 11am and 3pm to 8pm, but may also extend beyond these hours.
Departures during peak periods
During peak periods at Sydney Airport the parallel runways will always be used because using both runways at the same time allows the most aircraft to be moved through the airport.
This means that, when the parallel runways are being used in a northerly direction (north flow) during peak periods, your area will experience aircraft noise.
Peak periods tend to be 7am to 11am and 3pm to 8pm, but may also extend beyond these hours.
Post-curfew arrival bursts
An arrival burst of long-haul international flights tends to occur just after the curfew ends at 6am.
Heavy jets, especially those flying long-haul routes, require the use of the westernmost parallel runway for landing, (Runway 16 Right), because it is the longest runway. The extra length is needed for a safe landing. For this reason residents in suburbs around the flight path to this runway are likely to notice increased movements in the hour immediately after the curfew.
Pre-curfew departure bursts
A departure burst of long-haul international flights tends to occur in the last two hours before the Sydney Airport curfew begins.
Heavy jets, especially those flying long-haul routes, require the use of the westernmost parallel runway (Runway 34 Left) because it is the longest runway. The extra length is needed for a safe take-off. For this reason residents in suburbs under flight paths from this runway are likely to notice increased movements in the hour before the curfew.
You may notice that these heavily laden jets tend to climb more slowly than lighter aircraft.