Huge increase in flights to Queensland as aviation sector takes off

Brisbane Airport will reach 80 per cent of pre-pandemic traffic by Friday as Queensland soars back into the new normal of open borders.

Flights into Queensland will soar to levels not seen since the start of the pandemic as the easing of travel restrictions sparks hopes of a sensational summer for the state’s tourism industry.

Airports at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns will see an increase in domestic flights by the end of the week exceeding the capacity of pre-Covid-19 levels, while Brisbane Airport will by Friday be operating at 80 per cent of the level seen two years ago.

The easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers saw arrivals at Brisbane yesterday reach more than 26,000, compared with daily averages of about 17,000 last week, with arrival numbers expected to swell to about 40,000 by the end of the week.

Nick Marriot was welcomed home by mum Kelli and sister Ruby, 11 as easing travel restrictions allowed more people back into Queensland. Picture: Brad Fleet

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the return of travellers from the major markets of Sydney and Melbourne was a significant milestone for kickstarting the visitor economy.

“Today has been, without a doubt, the best early Christmas present for all of us here at Brisbane Airport with Queensland’s border reopening to domestic hot spots including NSW and Victoria,” he said.

“Other signs of positive domestic recovery include Rex Airlines’ inaugural services to Melbourne and Sydney on 17 and 20 December respectively, and Jetstar’s inaugural services to Canberra on 17 December.”

Virgin on Monday announced a flash sale with heavily discounted fares while other airlines are expected to follow suit with fresh confidence that Queensland’s days of lockdowns and border closures may finally be over.

The Gold Coast, often the barometer of the state’s tourism industry, welcomed 25 flights on Monday after months of gloomy, near-empty terminals and by Friday that number will more than double to 64, getting back to pre-Covid levels.

Queensland Airports CEO Chris Mills said it was great to see optimism in the aviation sector again.

“The whole team is excited and energising to see people coming back into the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We’re the place where people can meet and greet and welcome your loved ones and it’s great to be part of that again and see all the emotions as people come back to the Gold Coast.”

Surfers Paradise couple Anthony and Isla Stanich reunited at Gold Coast Airport on Monday. Picture Glenn Hampson

Cairns Airport is expecting to be operating at a capacity greater than before the pandemic by the end of the week, flowing through until at least mid-January.

On Monday Cairns welcomed three flights from both Sydney and Melbourne, but that number will ramp up to eight each by Friday.

Sunshine Coast Airport will welcome up to 30 daily flights across the latter part of December after averaging just 11 flights per day last December.

Queensland Airports Limited chief commercial officer Adam Rowe said Townsville Airport flight and passenger numbers were starting to rebuild in response to the Queensland border reopening to all states and territories.

“Flight and passenger numbers have taken a step up today and then on Friday and Saturday, we have new Qantas and Virgin Australia services starting between Townsville and Sydney and Melbourne,” he said.

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