Busy scenes at Gold Coast Airport, but travel troubles continue in COVID-19 pandemic

New photos of the bustling domestic terminal illustrate the gradual resurgence of Gold Coast Airport as tourists flock back to the city - but the tough times certainly aren’t over yet.

PHOTOS of the bustling domestic terminal illustrate the gradual resurgence of Gold Coast Airport as interstate tourists flock back to the city.

The airport has a way to go to claw itself back to the number of flights and passengers pre-coronavirus, but the fresh images are a far cry from deserted scenes captured last year.

Gold Coast Airport on Tuesday. Picture: Scott Powick

Back then at some of its darkest days, the airport traffic reduced from 420 flights a week on average to a handful.

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Meanwhile, Qantas has revealed it has reopened international travel bookings from July, despite the Federal Government distancing itself from the decision.

The country’s biggest airline carrier announced on Tuesday it would be taking bookings for its international network months earlier than anticipated.

Travellers at Gold Coast Airport. Picture: Scott Powick

“We continue to review and update our international schedule in response to the developing COVID-19 situation,” Qantas confirmed.

“Recently we have aligned the selling of our international services to reflect our expectation that international travel will begin to restart from July 2021.”

Queensland Aircorp Limited CEO Chris Mills in the deserted terminal in March last year. Picture: Scott Powick

Within hours, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack hit back and said the government would decide when international travel would resume.

However, he did flag discussions around a potential New Zealand travel bubble.

“International borders will be opened when international arrivals do not pose a risk to Australians,” he said.

The airport is still experiencing greatly reduced flight numbers, but the situation has been improving. Picture: Scott Powick

“The Australian government is working on travel arrangements with countries, such as New Zealand, that have low community infections.

“Operations and ticket sales on particular routes are commercial decisions for airlines.”

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce previously pointed to the development of a COVID-19 as the first step towards the return of international flights.