Long haul flights boost passenger numbers at Gold Coast Airport

EXTRA flights to Malaysia and Hong Kong helped boost growth in international long haul passengers out of the Gold Coast by 11 per cent last financial year.

Gold Coast Airport welcomed 6.5 million passengers in 2016-17.

EXTRA flights to Malaysia and Hong Kong helped boost growth in international long haul passengers out of the Gold Coast by 11 per cent last financial year.

Gold Coast Airport welcomed 6.49 million passengers total in the year to June, up 3.3 per cent on the previous year.

Growth was also strong on routes from Coolangatta to New Zealand and South Pacific, at 8.9 per cent and in domestic passenger numbers, which swelled two per cent.

The Coast’s success is countering sharp declines in Queensland Airport Ltd’s three regional airports at Townsville (-0.4 per cent), Longreach (-11.6 per cent) and Mount Isa (-2.4 per cent).

A concept image of a commercial and industrial hub planned for land around the Gold Coast Airport.

QAL CEO Chris Mills said Gold Coast Airport’s long haul international services had been particularly successful.

“This year we have added four additional weekly services to Kuala Lumpur, while our Hong Kong route has increased to three services each week and up to daily at peak times such as Chinese New Year,” he said.

“The capacity on these routes shows the affinity international visitors have with the Gold Coast, and likewise the appetite Gold Coasters have for holidaying in Asia.

“Domestically, we had our first full year of services to Melbourne Tullamarine with Qantas, Melbourne Avalon with Jetstar and Rockhampton/Townsville with JetGo.

“Sydney and Melbourne routes continue to be our most popular domestic services.”

Concept image of a hotel within a planned commercial and education hub at Gold Coast airport.

Gold Coast Airport’s master plan was approved by the Federal Government earlier this week.

“It is going to be increasingly difficult to grow passenger numbers significantly until the terminal is expanded,” Mr Mills said.

“The continuous increases in passenger movements are putting pressure on our terminal’s capacity and we look forward to completing the redevelopment program, which is being staged over the next few years.

“Some elements, including new check-in facilities and expansion of the apron capacity, will be complete by next year’s Commonwealth Games, but major works will not start until the Games are over.”