So what happened to the checkin counter signs at Sydney Airport T1?
By David Flynn, May 14 2014
Overseas travellers heading out from Sydney Airport’s T1 international terminal may recall large signs at the departures drop-off zone indicating which airline used which checkin counter.
Located adjacent to each checkin zone, in plain view of drivers and passengers alike, these signs carried the name and logo of each airline and where an easy way to ensure you didn’t get dropped off at the wrong end of the airport.
After all, hopping out of the taxi near checkin desk A (used by Cathay Pacific) doesn’t do much good when your Singapore Airlines flight will be checked in at desk K.
Those helpful signs were pulled down last year – and they’re not coming back, says Sydney Airport, which claims that removing the signs has actually enhanced traffic flow on the congested drop-off roadway.
“Sydney Airport has streamlined signage at our International terminal to reduce kerbside congestion and improve the flow of traffic on Departures Road”, an spokeswoman for the airport told Australian Business Traveller, adding that “our iPhone and Android apps provide passengers with details of airline check-in locations at the airport.”
It’s a curious observation that ditching those signs has reduced congestion and improved the flow of traffic, but it makes sense.
Instead of drivers hovering around and double-parking at the more popular drop-off zones, especially during the airport’s busiest pre-flight hours, they’re more likely to pull over wherever there’s a free spot.
It’s less than ideal for travellers, of course, especially if they’ve got to push a large load of checked luggage from one end of the terminal to the other to reach their flight’s check-in desk.
Sydney Airport is also believed to be looking at digital signage with real-time flight information, which would be located outside the international terminal's entrance.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2012
Total posts 116
Thanks for this David, I was wondering last week when at SYD if it was a temporary situation whilst there was a reshuffle of airline counters. Interesting decision to remove them completely.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
What a great 'enhancement' from SACL. Why didn't they install the real time signage (a la TBIT) straight after removing these signs? Perhaps because it'll never happen and they expect people will forget there was ever any signage at all?
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
It's explained why in the article -- because ignorance is bliss when it comes to improving traffic flow.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
makes sense to me.. T1 drop off curb side area isnt that long..T1 servicing all international flights..and once inside just follow the signs!!....compared to much longer overseas terminals which can also have multiple terminals servicing various airlines...makes sense in those situations
have we become THAT lazy!!!
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 645
once you experience other airports layouts/situations....T1 isn't that bad....ahhhh...the joy of travel :-)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Hah. Hah. Hahahahahahah.
It's now worse than before. Is that not bad enough for you?
21 Sep 2011
Total posts 69
If they’ve got to push a large load of checked luggage from one end of the terminal to the other to reach their flight’s check-in desk? No problem. Just use one of those trolleys at $4 each. More revenue for the airport.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on So what happened to the checkin counter signs at Sydney Airport T1?