Coronavirus Gold Coast: Airport boss pleas for Premier to reopen borders for travel

Passenger numbers at Gold Coast Airport have plummeted to a shockingly low figure, just months after it recorded its busiest day ever, sparking calls to reopen the state’s border.

THE Gold Coast Airport boss is urging State Government to give a border reopening date, revealing passenger traffic has plummeted by 99 per cent.

Shocking new data which will be released today reveals fewer than 2000 passengers passed through the airport in April. That is down from 560,000 during the same four week period last year.

Just three return services are operating a week now. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Three return services are now operating per week, down from 420 flights per week before coronavirus travel restrictions were introduced in March.

Queensland Airports CEO Chris Mills said the numbers were startling and urged the State Government to reopen the borders and allow for interstate travel to resume.

“Current research suggests there is pent up demand for travel to Queensland, particularly coming into winter.

“The Gold Coast is the perfect destination - but no-one knows when they can start to book that holiday,” he said.

Chris Mills, CEO of Queensland Airports Photo: Steve Holland

“The Gold Coast-Sydney and Gold Coast-Melbourne routes were two of the busiest in the country – as soon as southern travellers can visit Queensland again, it will be a huge shot in the arm for tourism operators and the state’s economy.

“We’re not saying the border should be opened tomorrow – we all understand that the health considerations are the first priority and the government has done well to manage this.

“But we need a clear date to work towards – so the airlines can sell seats, travellers can make bookings, and tourism businesses can get the income they desperately need.”

The data comes just five months after Gold Coast Airport recorded its busiest-ever day on January 4 when 25,544 people passed through the gates.

Passenger numbers fell by 99 per cent in April.

The Coast is the worst-hit of those in Queensland Airports’ stable, which have all seen a whopping drop in passengers.

Collectively, the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports saw a 97 per cent total decline in passenger numbers in April.

Mr Mills said it was understandable that international travel could take some time to be re-established, which reinforced the need to get interstate travel happening.

Mr Mills said he also supported the Federal Government’s intention to consider opening up trans-Tasman travel earlier.

The airport and tourism industry has been rocked in recent weeks by the collapse of Virgin Australia, leaving Jetstar and Qantas as the sole remaining operators.