Sydney International to International transfer, no baggage. Possible to stay and transit via Airside only?
I have two tickets - Singapore to Sydney (Scoot), Sydney to Hawaii (Virgin Australia / Hawaiian Airlines)
I have no visa for Australia so I will not be able to enter immigration for counter re-check in. I will have no baggage. Transit is allowed without a visa within 8 hours of my journey, as long as I don't pass immigration.
Question: when I land in Sydney, can I stay airside and proceed to my next boarding gate with a digital check in / paper and get my boarding pass at the boarding gate? ANA site seemed to mention that this is possible (https://www.ana.co.jp/wws/au/e/asw_common/departure/airport/map.html?c=syd#anchor003)
I tried calling most airlines and unfortunately they don't have much information. Sydney airport keeps redirecting me to Virgin Australia which was not able to provide me any answer. Online check in with a digital boarding pass should be sufficient, right?
Best Answer
You must advise check-in/transfer staff at both Sydney and Singapore that you are utilising TWOV arrangements.
Airlines flying into and out of Australia utilise the Advance Passenger Processing system to determine whether you can board. If you advise them you are transiting and provide them the required documentation, they can enter your details into the system as a transit passenger. Otherwise, the system will assume that Australia is your final destination, and since you do not have a visa, will deny you boarding.
Here's an FAQ from the Department advising airline staff on how to process transit passengers.
Pictures about "Sydney International to International transfer, no baggage. Possible to stay and transit via Airside only?"
How to transfer from Sydney international to domestic terminals
More answers regarding sydney International to International transfer, no baggage. Possible to stay and transit via Airside only?
Answer 2
As stated in Timatic, the database used by Airlines:
TWOV (Transit Without Visa): Passengers with onward tickets in Transit [...] for a maximum transit time of 8 hours.
"TWOV:ing" means not leaving the transit area, so yes, it is possible. E-tickets are valid for getting to the departures area directly, or there should be a transfer desk
That said, you're unlikely to get on the flight without an ETA or visa. Had the trip been in a single booking, then yes, but with separate tickets, most likely Sydney will be considered your final destination by check-in staff in Singapore.
So if you wish to embark on this trip, I emphatically recommend you to get a transit visa, which is free
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Kelly, Gustavo Fring, Gustavo Fring, Gustavo Fring