Keeping Sydney Airport safe and soaring: Meet Emily Davis, risk expert at SYD and St Peters local

From finding the best Sydney Airport coffee to making sure SYD stays ahead of the game, Emily Davis is all about keeping things running smoothly.

As General Manager of Risk, she’s the behind-the-scenes problem-solver, keeping tabs on everything from security to cyber threats, so passengers can focus on flying with ease.

Beyond the airport, Emily is a proud St Peters local and a sports-loving mum of two.

Take a behind the scenes peek at why Emily’s job is anything but boring.

Tell us about your role at Sydney Airport and what a typical day looks like for you at Sydney Airport?

I’m the General Manager of Risk at Sydney Airport and my role covers enterprise risk, internal audit and compliance management. No two days are ever the same at Sydney Airport, which is what makes my job so exciting!

A typical day might start with a risk assessment – reviewing key risks across security, operations, to working on an internal audit, or collaborating with teams across the airport, from security and safety to sustainability and cyber.

There’s also plenty of problem-solving. And, of course, there’s always time for a quick airport coffee before diving into the next challenge.

How long have you been with Sydney Airport and what inspired you to work in the aviation industry?

I’ve been with Sydney Airport for 5 years, starting in March 2020 – right when COVID hit. It was definitely a challenging time, but I had the privilege of working with incredible teams who tackled the ever-changing risks head-on. Now, it’s amazing to see the airport back in full swing and growing stronger than ever.

The idea of working in a place that literally connects people, places and opportunities around the world was really exciting to me. I’ve always been fascinated by how things work behind the scenes, and aviation is one of the most complex and fast-paced industries out there.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working in risk and internal audit means I get to be involved in just about every part of the airport – safety, security, operations, sustainability – nothing is off-limits.

Doing this at Sydney’s international gateway, a key piece of infrastructure that connects Australia to the world, is incredibly rewarding.

What’s a surprising risk-related myth you’d love to bust?

One thing that might surprise people is just how much proactive planning goes on behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.

It’s not just about responding to emergencies or stopping things from happening – we’re constantly assessing potential risks, from cyber threats to extreme weather events, and putting measures in place before they become a problem.

Good risk management is about enabling smart decisions – helping the business take the right risks in a way that’s informed, strategic, and well-managed.

How does your work affect travellers and the overall airport experience?

My work plays a big role in making sure travellers have a safe, smooth and stress-free experience at Sydney Airport.

From ensuring security and safety measures are top-notch to improving processes that get passengers through check-in and security faster, risk management is all about making things better behind the scenes.

Can you share any memorable experiences you’ve had while working at the airport?

One of my most memorable experiences was welcoming the first international flight back to Sydney after quarantine requirements were lifted.

We handed out Tim Tams and native Australian flowers to arriving passengers, and it was such an emotional moment watching long-awaited reunions unfold.

As someone with family overseas, it was especially meaningful – it truly felt like a celebration and a big "welcome back" to international travel!

Window or aisle seat – and why?

Aisle seat – always! That said, when I’m traveling with my husband and two kids, I usually end up stuck in the middle seat between them! But honestly, if I’m on a plane headed to an amazing holiday destination, I’ll take any seat.

What do you love about your local community?

I live in St Peters, just around the corner from Sydney Airport. It’s such a fantastic inner west suburb with the best of everything – amazing café’s, restaurants and plenty of craft breweries!

What really makes it special is the great people in our community – everyone knows and supports each other, which makes it such a great place to call home.

How does your work at the airport connect you with the local community?

I feel lucky to work at Sydney Airport where we're so connected to the local community.

Recently, my daughter’s school in St Peters got the chance to take part in a school tour at SYD, and I had the opportunity to join her.

The tour goes behind the scenes at the airport and showcases Sydney Airport’s partners; school students meet the detector dogs and handlers with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service, and SYD’s Indigenous land care experts, Wildflower.

Are there any upcoming developments at the airport that excite you?

Exciting changes are happening at our domestic Terminal T2!

We’re upgrading it with state-of-the-art equipment including new automatic bag drop machines and security scanners. Once upgraded, passengers will be able to get from the kerb to gate in under 15 minutes.

The project is set to be completed by late 2026, and it’s going to be a total game changer for everyone traveling through Sydney Airport. I can’t wait to see the final result.

What advice would you give to someone interested in a career at Sydney Airport?

Go for it! Sydney Airport is an incredibly exciting and dynamic place to work.

With almost 33,000 people working across the airport precinct, there’s always something happening – no two days are ever the same.

Have a passion for aviation? Join the likes of Emily and other enthusiastic movers and shakers at Sydney Airport – find out more about career opportunities.