Centenary year delivers record-breaking trifecta at BNE

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The official numbers are in, and they confirm Brisbane Airport’s 100th anniversary year was a record-breaker. Brisbane Airport capped off its centenary with a trifecta of yearly, monthly, and daily milestones: 

• 2025 was the busiest year on record with 25 million passengers (international up 10.7% and domestic up 3.2%)
• BNE recorded its busiest month on record, with 2.3 million passengers travelling through the airport in December
• 20 December 2025 was the busiest day in the history of the International Terminal with 26,111 passengers, smashing the previous record of 24,412 set on 5 January 2020. The Domestic Terminal hit a new daily record of 64,015 passengers on 6 October as a result of the Grand Final featuring the Brisbane Broncos. 

The record number of international travellers in December coincides with the return of Malaysia Airlines to Brisbane, as well as Jetstar launching Australia's only flight to Cebu in the Philippines. 

“When Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is thriving. In 2025 we didn’t just break the daily record in the International Terminal which has stood since 2020, we smashed it. That kind of jump in passenger numbers demonstrates the momentum building at Brisbane Airport and mirrors the momentum building right across South East Queensland as the clock counts down to 2032,” said Brisbane Airport CEO Gert‑Jan de Graaff. 

“Our centenary year of 2025 will go down as the busiest year in Brisbane Airport’s history, with 25 million passengers travelling through our terminals. 

“January 2026 has also started solidly, and February is shaping up to be strong as well, with Lunar New Year celebrations boosting passenger numbers and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Suncorp Stadium drawing in even more visitors. 

“In December, we opened new security screening points in both the domestic and international terminals, and passengers are experiencing the convenience of being able to keep items like laptops in their bags. 

“2026 will see even more transformation at the International Terminal, with passport control permanently relocating to the same level as check‑in and the new security screening area. New dining options will also open, and in 2027 a vastly expanded duty‑free store will welcome travellers. 

“Beyond the terminals, we’ve seen crowds flock to Landers Pocket and the newly opened 4 Pines Brewery, with the airport precinct becoming a destination in itself. This year we'll open an iconic new plane spotting area to inspire the next generation of aviation workers. With 25,000 people currently working at Brisbane Airport, we know that number is set to swell by another 20,000 over the next couple of decades.”

New and enhanced flights in 2026: 

• Qantas deploying its A220 for the first time internationally, on the Brisbane to Wellington route from 2 February 2026   
• China Southern Airlines moving to twice-daily flights year-round from 30 March 2026.
• Jetstar’s Brisbane to Rarotonga (Cook Islands) flights commencing 18 May with A321neo LR aircraft   
• Jetstar launching Brisbane to Queenstown services from June to October using A320ceo aircraft
• Air New Zealand launching flights to Queenstown from June to October, as well as increasing services to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.     

Brisbane Airport is now connected to 35 international destinations and is currently undergoing a $5+ billion Future BNE transformation. 

For interviews, contact Brisbane Airport’s media hotline: 0466 322 485