Queensland’s 20 Million Reasons to Smile

The numbers are in and they’re good for Queensland. In the financial year ending June 30, more than 20 million passengers passed through Brisbane’s domestic and international terminals.  

“That’s an average of more than a full Suncorp Stadium of people every single day of the year travelling through our terminals, or an average 55-thousand people per day. And that’s just the passengers. On top of this, there are 24,000 people who come to work at BNE daily,” according to Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation.     

“20 million passengers is a milestone following the pandemic. When Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is busy, and this is great news for the recovery of tourism and jobs right across the Sunshine State.” 

In 2019 before the pandemic, 23.7 million passengers passed through the airport.

FY23 Domestic Terminal: 16 million passengers 

FY23 International Terminal: 4 million passengers 

In June during the final month of FY23, recovery in the Domestic Terminal was at 98% of pre-Covid (2019) capacity. 

In the International Terminal, the recovery was at 77%. 

In FY23, the quietest day was Christmas Day with just 25,935 passengers in the Domestic Terminal on 25 December 2022.  

The busiest day saw 56,115 people move through the Domestic Terminal on 6 April 2023.  

The notable Brisbane services that are doing well with passenger volumes well above pre-COVID numbers:  

• Moranbah had 86,864 passengers more than FY19 (+49%)  
• Hobart had 58,102 passengers more than FY19 (+24%)  
• Albury had 46,057 passengers (new market, did not operate in FY19)  
• Launceston had 44,201 passengers more than FY19 (+37%)  
• Hamilton Island had 42,379 passengers more than FY19 (+34%)  

New Zealand remains the number one international market for Brisbane. The United Kingdom has risen to be the 3rd biggest market (from 5th in FY19). India has rocketed up to be Brisbane’s 5th biggest market (was 7th in FY19) despite not having a direct service. Fiji has performed strongly and has grown above FY19 volumes (108% restoration) as an attractive and safe outbound leisure destination.  

Tourists flying into BNE can connect to the largest domestic destinations network in Australia, with 52 towns and cities to choose from, 30 of them in Queensland.    

Brisbane Airport is connected to 27 international destinations with direct flights, with capacity expected to slowly grow to meet demand throughout the year. 

To cater for population growth, Brisbane Airport is embarking on a $5+ billion Future BNE investment program as it prepares for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games, and beyond.