Revealed: Startling rebirth of leading Gold Coast industry
Shock figures reveal how Gold Coast Airport is starting to see a rebirth despite the big hit from COVID. FIND OUT THE DETAILS
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MORE than 400,000 passengers travelled through Gold Coast Airport in April, despite the coronavirus pandemic.
New data provided by Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) has highlighted the airport’s gradual recovery after a disastrous 2020 for the city’s tourism sector.
While the April figures appear relatively impressive, the 410,000 passengers only represent about 73 per cent of passenger numbers before COVID-19 hit home.
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This month, the airport has been exceeding pre-virus numbers on routes including the Coast-Canberra and Coast-Hobart.
It is expected Coast-Adelaide flights will also exceed pre-virus numbers soon.
Additionally, more than 10,000 seats have been filled on flights between the Coast and New Zealand since the trans-Tasman travel bubble began on April 19.
QAL CEO Chris Mills said passenger numbers had continued to build.
“April 2021 numbers were the highest seen at Gold Coast Airport since February 2020 and were in stark contrast to the same time last year when we welcomed just 1500 people for the month,” he said.
About 50 flights have been arriving and departing from the airport daily, with about 20 linked to the bubble.
“Gold Coast-Auckland was our busiest international service prior to COVID-19 and it is delivering around 3500 seats each week to the Gold Coast region,” Mr Mills said.
Airport staff have their fingers crossed New Zealand will be the first of several safe destinations given the tick for overseas travel by the Australian government this year.
“When international travel restarts, Australia needs to be ready to respond in line with the rest of the world,” Mr Mills said.
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“The start of this international route has given many Australians confidence about travelling internationally to countries that are handling the pandemic well.
“Places like Singapore have been mentioned as the next in line and we look forward to discussions continuing.”
The airport would be ready for the resumption of international travel, Mr Mills said.
Rydges Gold Coast Airport hotel opened late last year and a terminal expansion designed with international growth in mind will open in the first half of next year.
Originally published as Revealed: Startling rebirth of leading Gold Coast industry
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