HEAVY smoke forced some airline passengers on to Melbourne-bound buses on Monday as planes could not fly in or out of Albury's airport.
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Virgin Australia cancelled its Sydney flights, while Qantas and Regional Express services from there landed at Wagga with passengers then bussed to Albury.
REX travellers flying to Melbourne or Sydney were taken by coach to Wagga for flights.
Sydney-bound passengers with Qantas boarded buses to Melbourne to fly.
Among them was engaged couple Danielle Pedron and Dan McCormack who were due home in Townsville at 6.30am on Monday via Qantas, but who will arrive today instead.
A group of seven family and friends were returning to Brisbane on a 1.45pm Qantas flight after cutting short a holiday in the North East.
Jeannine Freeman noted "we're not in danger, we're not in the fires, but it is frustrating".
Under flight standards for Albury airport, the minimum visibility for take-off is 550 to 800 metres and 4.4 kilometres to land.
Passengers worried about smoke continuing to interfere with flights from Albury are advised to contact their airlines.
Despite the record high levels of smoke that have blanketed Albury over the past few days, Albury Wodonga Health reported only a "small increase" in respiratory-related cases at its emergency departments.
The health service's chief executive Michael Kalimnios said advice from the EPA was being sought in relation to air quality monitoring and measures needed to protect patients and staff.
Meanwhile, the generosity of Border residents is on display at Merriwa Industries' Wodonga warehouse.
The organisation has been a drop-off centre for goods since Saturday and has received so much it has called a halt to donations.
More than 150 pallets have gone to Walwa, Corryong, Tallangatta, Holbrook, Wangaratta and Wagga.
Site supervisor Naomi Leslie was extremely grateful for the goods and the work of 160 volunteers who have helped sort and package.
"(We've had) food items, water, bedding, pillows, camping gear, clothing, shoes and more," she said.
"The response has been overwhelming and it shows what a strong community we live in when times get tough."
