Gold Coast Airport: Record number of passengers visit city, QAL data reveals

TRAVELLERS are jumping at the chance to head to the Gold Coast with new data revealing passenger numbers are up on last year.

A plane at Gold Coast Airport. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

TRAVELLERS are jumping at the chance to head to the Gold Coast with new data revealing passenger numbers are up on last year.

The Gold Coast Airport has recorded its busiest November with passenger numbers up by 3.7

per cent.

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) CEO Chris Mills said Gold Coast Airport benefited from strong demand in domestic and long haul international services this month.

Jet Star flight. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It’s pleasing to report another record month of growth at Gold Coast Airport,” Mr Mills said. “Our increase in passenger movements this November shows the strength of the region.

“We saw a fascinating blend of business, tourism and schoolies travellers in the terminal this month.

“Gold Coast Airport’s biggest market is Sydney which showed a 6 per cent increase for the month of November. Internationally the growth in long haul markets, in particular Singapore and Japan, was very strong.”

Tiger is doing flights from Hobart to the Gold Coast. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Mr Mill said QAL said direct services to Hobart with Tigerair this month would be of great benefit to the city.

“These services will provide a welcome boost for tourism in both cities and have arrived right in time for the busy summer holiday period,” he said.

GOLD COAST BY NUMBERS

2017: 544,012

2016: 524,811

Growth: 3.7%

An AirAsia flight. (AAP Image/Darren England)