Delta Air Lines started a LA-Brisbane service last week, flying three times a week. Photo: Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is expecting an even busier Christmas season this year with three million passengers to pass through during a six-week period.
The airport says that from December 13, 2024, to January 27, 2025, it expects domestic passenger numbers to be up 6 per cent (2.07 million) compared to last year (1.95 million).
International passenger numbers are forecast to be up 18 per cent (935,000) on last year (793,000).
Airport spokesman Peter Doherty has a reminder for travellers heading to the airport.
“Our terminals will be humming across the holiday period so it is important travellers arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight …” he says.
Doherty also says the airport is in the middle of terminal upgrades.
“The Domestic and International terminals are in the middle of major security upgrade works with temporary security facilities in place … which is even more reason to leave ample time before catching a flight.”
The airport has pinpointed what it thinks will be its busiest travel days.
For domestic travel, they are expecting 52,000 passengers on Thursday, December 12, 53,000 on December 13 and 52,000 on Friday, December 20.
For international travel, they are expecting 23,000 to pass through on Saturday, December 21, and on Saturday, January 4, 2025, and 22,000 on Sunday, December 22.
“Parking is also expected to be near capacity with construction under way on an extension that will provide 1700 additional spaces in 2025 … for these holidays, the advice is to book well in advance,” Doherty says.
DESTINATION FAVOURITES
For Australian travellers heading overseas, the airport expects New Zealand, Japan and Indonesia (Bali) to be the top three countries of choice.
For overseas visitors flying into Brisbane, the top three source countries are expected to be New Zealand (with extra Qantas services from Christchurch and Wellington), UK/Europe (with extra capacity from Emirates with a second A380 service and Cathay Pacific’s four extra flights), and USA (with new flights by American and Delta Air Lines).
