Bushfires, heavy smog affect flights, airports in Sydney

Passengers travelling to and from northern New South Wales (NSW) and Sydney are being advised to check in with their airlines as smoke from bushfires threatens flights and airport operations. As rising wind stokes bushfires burning across the state, Qantas has been forced to cancel about 10 services between Sydney and the northern NSW towns of Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. Flights along the east coast have been cancelled and airports are reporting low visibility from smoke as bushfires rage through northern NSW. Virgin Australia has cancelled its Alliance Airlines-operated flights from Sydney and Brisbane to the northern NSW town of Port Macquarie.