Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay Transport and urban affairs reporter

‘Mini-city’: meet the 30,000 workers who power Australia’s busiest airport every day

A sniffer dog playing with a female police officer dressed in a navy uniform
A sniffer dog trained to detect explosives is rewarded with his favourite toy at Sydney Airport. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Flying over the harbour and into Sydney Kingsford Smith airport, the dazzling view of blue ocean lapping at the city’s heart makes the claustrophobia of a window seat tolerable.

For the 100,000-odd travellers who must endure some hectic combination of snaking queues, overpriced cafes, overweight bags and violated personal space before either arriving into or departing the city each day, the fleeting vista of a glistening Sydney stands out.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.