Events drive spike in travel

Brisbane Airport is looking forward to record passenger numbers to round out FY13 with the timing of school holidays and sporting and cultural events attracting large numbers of travellers to Brisbane’s winter of events.

International traveller numbers through BNE in June are running 7 per cent ahead of the same month last year as Australians take advantage of a host of extra capacity from the airlines, and thousands of inbound visitors travel down-under to follow their team on tour.

International markets are also thriving with China, India, France and Taiwan all experiencing double digit growth in June.

The cast and crew of the Bolshoi Ballet provided a noticeable spike in Russian nationals through the International Terminal, with their performances at QPAC sold out for the entire season drawing dance enthusiasts from all over Australia to the Brisbane only shows.

Visitor numbers from Hong Kong and the Philippines have jumped by 31 per cent and 23 per cent respectively so far this month on the back of Qantas raising frequencies to Hong Kong to daily and the return of Philippine Airlines operating three flights a week to and from Manila.

The Lions test match versus the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium was also a clear factor behind surging domestic passenger flows.

In the days leading up to the game, domestic numbers were over 10 per cent higher than the same days a year before. The biggest spike was seen the day after the game with a near 20 per cent surge of fans flying to Melbourne to follow their team on tour.

Several airlines have reported that aircraft are leaving Brisbane full as families take advantage of school holidays to take break with warm Asian and Pacific beach destinations and the ski slopes of New Zealand being especially popular this year.