Brisbane Airport says the southern winter and Lions rugby fans are helping drive traffic. Photo courtesy ANDREW KACIMAIWAI.
Lions rugby fans and southern chills are driving record passenger traffic at Brisbane and Sydney airports this month.
Almost 5.5 million passengers are expected to pass through both airport’s terminals, according to management.
Brisbane Airport is expecting 2.78 million passengers during the June-July school holidays, boosted by up to 40,000 British and Irish Lions rugby supporters and winter visitors from interstate.
Sydney Airport says it is eyeing almost 2.6 million passengers from now to Sunday, July 20 with one million international arrivals expected.
BRISBANE AIRPORT
The airport is forecasting 1.4% domestic passenger growth and 18.4% growth in international passengers. It says the busiest day of the season is likely to be Friday, July 18, with a projected, and likely record, 82,400 passengers across both terminals.
“We know when Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is thriving with travellers …” Brisbane Airport spokesman Peter Doherty says
“On top of travellers chasing the sun, we’re also expecting thousands of rugby fans following the British and Irish Lions tour. Brisbane won’t be able to miss them, with Suncorp Stadium hosting two games.”
“In the International Terminal we’re expecting an 18% increase on passenger numbers on last year with many airlines boosting services for the school holidays.”
Data from inbound passenger cards for the most 12 months to April 25 reveal the overseas markets with the biggest annual inbound growth are Japan, China and New Zealand.
SYDNEY AIRPORT
International travel is leading the growth with a 9% increase on the same period in 2024, making it the busiest winter school holiday for the airport, it says.
Domestically, more than 1.5 million passengers will travel through its terminals, up 4% on 2024.
It says passenger numbers are up 6% compared to the same 21-day period in 2024 with an extra 150,000 travellers expected this year — enough to fill 850 Boeing 737 aircraft.
Warmer destinations are in demand, the airport notes, especially after Hong Kong, Istanbul and Vietnam services expanded.
Sydney Airport expects this Friday (July 4) to be its busiest domestically with 81,000 passengers while Saturday, July, 12, is expected to record 54,000 overseas travellers.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton says it is shaping up to be the airport’s busiest winter ever for international travel.
“More Australians are taking advantage of new destinations and extra capacity; that’s reflected in the numbers we’re seeing through the terminal.
“To keep up with this demand, we’re investing in upgrades to make the journey smoother, from faster security screening to more efficient check in and improved border processing.”
