Brisbane Airport breaks monthly passenger record

For the first time Brisbane Airport had a record 1,792,000 passengers through the airport within a month, breaking the previous record by 30,000 passengers, and showing strong signs of returning passenger growth.

For the month of July, domestic passengers at 1,387,717 were up 6.9 percent on last year, while the International Terminal saw 404,284 people, providing 9.4 percent growth. These record figures saw total growth of 7.5% on July 2009.

Brisbane Airport Corporation Pty Limited CEO and Managing Director, Julieanne Alroe, said that July’s record breaking results in the domestic market were the result of extra seat capacity.

”In the domestic market our airlines have really stepped up their seat capacity, with Tiger Airways recently starting to operate out of Brisbane, Jetstar commencing a service from Brisbane to Melbourne’s Tullamarine airport, Brindabella starting a new service to Moree, and Qantas, Qantaslink and Virgin Blue have also all increased their services,” Ms Alroe said.

“We congratulate all these airlines for their commitment to Brisbane passengers, providing them with more options and better travel opportunities.”Ms Alroe said Brisbane’s international market has also seen record growth over the past month, due to a growing international visitor trend.

“This time last year we were struggling through a major health crisis, in swine flu, which saw a large decrease in arriving passengers. This month has shown significant recovery in arrivals, with visitors from Japan, Taiwan and China again eager to visit Brisbane and Queensland,” she said.

“Furthermore, the strength of July’s international passenger numbers is a reflection on the strength of Queensland’s tourism industry and a return to consumer confidence.”

The past year has also seen Brisbane Airport expand its international network, and seat capacity. Last financial year saw V Australia start flying to Phuket, and Philippine Airlines return to Brisbane after 12 years.