Australian airport clearing traveler backlog as wild winds ease

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The winds had been part of a massive weather system over southeast Australia, that whipped up a 500 km (310 miles) dust storm on Thursday, which swept across the drought-parched interior to blanket Sydney. Sydney Airport spokeswoman Cait Tynan said the airport was operating normally on Saturday with both runways operational. Virgin and Qantas airlines put on additional flights to clear the backlog of travelers stranded by the weather. Jetstar Airways said it had seven cancellations early on Saturday morning but was back on schedule by noon. The easing winds also brought relief on Saturday after 21 fires were fanned by the strong gusts across New South Wales state on Friday.SEE ALSO :MIA beats other airports in visitor numbers
A modified Boeing 737 capable of carrying 15,000 liters (3,960 gallons) of water or fire retardant helped to fight fires around the city of Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Friday. More than 100 firefighters prepared containment lines in the area overnight, the Rural Fire Service said.