Sydney set for Manic Monday

Sydney airport is gearing up for "Manic Monday" -- when thousands of athletes, officials and fans from the Olympics start flying home at the beginning of next week.

The 17-day Games end on Sunday night and airport officials expect a record 28,000 people to fly out of the international terminal on Monday. About 16,000 international passengers are likely to arrive.

Another 80,000 passengers are expected to come in and out of the domestic terminals.

"It's going to be 'Manic Monday'," airport spokesman Peter Gibbs told the Daily Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.

"We have been having some pretty big days at the airport during the Games but this will be a major step up. A lot of people are going to want to go at the same time."

The Daily Telegraph said expected departures had been boosted by athletes deciding to stay on rent-free in the Olympic village despite finishing their competitions because they wanted to party and leave with their team mates after the closing ceremony.

Mail your comments