Qld lockdown: Gold Coast Airport fails to log a single commercial flight

Amid the Delta downturn, Gold Coast Airport has set a new record for 2021 – and it’s not the type to be proud of.

Gold Coast Airport has set a 2021 record – but it’s not the kind to be proud of.

Today, for the first time in almost 12 months, not a single commercial flight landed or departed from the airport – traditionally one of Australia’s busiest travel hubs.

It’s another sign of how crippling the pandemic has been on travel and tourism, the lifeblood of the Gold Coast economy.

It was the first time since August 25 last year that the airport had been so dormant.

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said passenger numbers had recovered from last year’s dire lows in April and May, but the closure of the Queensland border to the key markets of Victoria and NSW had seen figures slow significantly from June onwards.

Gold Coast Airport in busier times

“Given the conditions in our key markets, we have seen no improvement since the South East Queensland lockdown ended on Sunday afternoon,” he said.

Mr Mills said confidence levels in the aviation and tourism sector had plunged to levels seen during the worst of the pandemic last year.

“We are steeling ourselves for conditions to fluctuate for some time to come, as lockdowns and multiple border closures impact Gold Coast Airport’s markets,” he said.

He said the dramatic decline in passenger numbers was having a huge impact on Gold Coast tourism operators and other small businesses which relied on traffic through the airport.