Cairns Airport welcomes more international flights ahead of ‘bumper’ year

International passenger numbers in Cairns have exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time consistently, with a new domestic service announced this week.

International passenger numbers in Cairns have exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with 270,000 people expected to travel through the city’s airport in the next three weeks. Photo: Supplied.

International passenger numbers in Cairns have exceeded pre-pandemic levels for the first time consistently, with 270,000 people expected to travel through the city’s airport in the next three weeks.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said 2025 was positioned as a bumper year with Cathay Pacific’s return imminent, the launch of a new domestic service this week and further historic airline arrivals in the pipeline.

Jetstar operated its first ever direct flight from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday.

Singapore Airlines commenced operations to the region earlier this year, with the Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 medium haul aircraft touching down in Cairns. Photo: Supplied.

“In 2024, we welcomed Singapore Airlines’ widebody A350 services and AirAsia Indonesia began flying to Cairns Airport for the first time,” Mr Barker said.

“International passenger numbers are consistently tracking above 2019 levels, with more than 12,000 travellers passing through our international terminal on average each week.”

International airline Cathay Pacific’s seasonal service is expected to return on December 17 extending through to March 29.

This will be followed by the start of Cairns’ first direct flight to Christchurch with Jetstar on April 1, and Fiji Airways’ inaugural service from April 10.

“Cathay Pacific’s return in a couple of weeks will deliver almost 27,000 seats across the season, offering ideal connectivity for the thousands of visitors expected to celebrate Chinese New Year in Tropical North Queensland,” Mr Barker said.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said Jetstar’s service to the Sunshine Coast would create new holiday options for a raft of travellers, including those visiting family and friends. Photo: Supplied.

“And it is fantastic to have Jetstar operating a direct route from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast up to four times per week, ahead of the Christmas holidays.”

Mr Barker said additional team members would be deployed to help with security screening processes at peak times during the holiday travel period.

“Over the three weeks leading into Christmas, we expect more than 270,000 passengers to travel through Cairns Airport,” he said.

Currency exchange operator New Travelex has opened a store site in the Cairns Airport domestic terminal. Photo: Supplied.

In addition to the new flight routes, Mr Barker welcomed a series of new stores and services opening in the domestic terminal including AMUSE Beauty Studio, The Edit and New Travelex.

The stores will offer a raft of globally recognised makeup, skincare and fragrance brands, boutique clothing, footwear and jewellery and expanding options for currency exchange and travel cards, respectively.

Cairns Airport was named major airport of the year 2024 at the Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards, and airport of the year at the Australian Aviation Awards, both for the second consecutive year.

The team was recognised for quickly reopening the aerodrome in the wake of the unprecedented December 2023 flood, the worst recorded since 1910.

Originally published as Cairns Airport welcomes more international flights ahead of ‘bumper’ year