764,417 travellers arrived at Tasmania’s busiest airport from January to March

Hobart aiport has welcomed a record number of passengers for the start of the year. Find out how many people went through Tasmania’s biggest airport.

Norris Carter CEO Hobart Airport. Hobart Airport is set to receive a $200million upgrade. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Hobart Airport has welcomed a record number of travellers in the first three months of 2024, prompting the CEO to remind Tasmanians to allow plenty of time to check in ahead of the busy school holiday period.

Hobart Airport CEO Norris Carter said an unprecedented 764,417 travellers arrived at

Tasmania’s busiest gateway from January to March.

The previous record for the same period was 754,597 passengers recorded in January to March 2019, before Covid hit.

Mr Carter said the latest data had landed on the eve of one of the busiest periods for Hobart Airport, the school holidays.

“It’s a great thing for local hotels, restaurants, attractions, shops and the whole state,” Mr Carter said.

“It’s clear that we’ve really hit our strides again as a must-see travel destination, and the airlines have responded with extra flights.

“This is why we’re investing $200 million to double the size of the terminal by 2027, with more seats, security screening, departure gates, baggage carousels, and food and retail outlets.”

A concept design of the forecourt of the Hobart Airport terminal upgrade. Picture: Supplied

The airport is expected to be busy across the upcoming school holidays right through to the Anzac Day long weekend.

Mr Carter said Hobart Airport was expecting an additional 33,000 extra visitors through the terminal from Easter through to the end of April.

“This is a huge 12 per cent increase in travellers compared with the same busy holiday period last year, with around an extra 10 flights per day on the busiest days” he said.

Mr Carter urged Tasmanians travelling over the school holidays to check their flights and allow plenty of time to check in.

“For all the families preparing for the fun, but potentially stressful, school holiday travel time, there are some simple things they can do to make it a little bit easier,” he said.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills said the travel numbers from the airport were positive news for the industry.

“It’s great to hear the positive news out of the Hobart Airport today, and we’d be hopeful this is a promising sign for the rest of the year.

“We know Tassie is operating in a competitive market at the moment with other states and territories vying for the travelling public, while at the same time Australians are being challenged by cost of living pressures,” Ms Hills said.

Ms Hills said the real test would be visitor numbers over winter, with the absence of Dark Mofo expected to reduce visitation.

“We know visitors love Tassie during the summer months, so we’re also concentrating on collaborating with Tourism Tasmania on its Off Season campaign which is focussed on enticing visitors here during the winter and shoulder periods,” she said.