Queensland Airports Limited Sets New Monthly Record

About 650,000 passengers travelled through Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) airports in June – the highest number ever recorded by the group for the month – surpassing the previous record of 642,366 set in 2017. 

Strong results were recorded on the Gold Coast, in Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports, including: 

• 483,649 passengers were facilitated at Gold Coast Airport, compared to 252,415 passengers in June 2021 and 474,644 in June 2019
• 142,138 passengers were facilitated at Townsville Airport, compared to 109,121 passengers in June 2021 and 137,933 passengers in June 2019
• 20,431 passengers were facilitated at Mount Isa Airport, compared 18,746 passengers in June 2021 and 18,173 passengers in June 2019
• 3,492 passengers were facilitated at Longreach Airport, compared 3,337 passengers in June 2021 and 3,078 passengers in June 2019

Collectively, the four airports were about 2.5 percent ahead of pre-COVID-19 levels and, if domestic passenger numbers alone were counted, the figure was 10 percent up on 2019.

New QAL CEO Amelia Evans, who started on 1 July, said it was extremely pleasing to see all of the company’s airports had exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels last month.

“Traveller confidence has bounced back strongly,” she said.

Ms Evans said the results in Mount Isa and Longreach were good news for these regional centres and their communities.

“Mount Isa Airport recorded its highest monthly passenger numbers in almost a decade in June and the flight and passenger numbers recorded have been consistently strong for some time,” she said.“Next month, passenger numbers will be boosted by Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, which we support.” Ms Evans said passenger numbers at Longreach Airport had been building well for several months, setting the scene for what could be a bumper outback Queensland dry season.

Last financial year, almost 4.4 million passengers travelled through QAL’s four airports, with more than 75 per cent of that number welcomed in the past six months – as domestic and international connections were restored. The number was well short of the 8.3 million welcomed and farewelled in 2019, before COVID-19 impacted. Ms Evans said the recovery milestone in June had been recorded as several key capital projects progressed at QAL’s airports and would improve the experience of passengers. “The finishing touches are being made to the 30,000sqm Gold Coast Airport terminal expansion, which will open for domestic passengers in September and international passengers in October,” she said.

“Passengers will experience a modern facility that reflects the Gold Coast and northern NSW environment.”

The Mount Isa Airport security screening works, which were funded by the Federal Government Regional Airports Screening Infrastructure (RASI) grant, are complete and associated retail works are scheduled to be finished in September. The security screening works at Townsville Airport, which were also funded by the RASI scheme, have been completed and retail works will be finalised next month – transforming the terminal.