Townsville airport expecting best ever numbers in Christmas rush

Townsville Airport is expecting a quarter of a million travellers to cross its thresholds across the holidays, with numbers set to soar across the Christmas peak.

Queensland Airports Limited Regional General Manager Brendan Cook forecasts one of the busiest summers to date. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Townsville Airport is expecting over a quarter of a million travellers to cross it’s thresholds across the holidays, with numbers set to soar across the Christmas peak.

Townsville Airport General Manager Brendan Cook said that if the airport hits it’s expected 275,000 travellers over the holidays, it will break records for the busiest period on record.

“We’re expecting over 275,000 passengers to come through the airport between December and January and that’ll be about 10% up on our previous busiest holiday period ever,” Mr Cook said.

“So, we’re looking fantastic for a really busy period over the school holidays and while people are looking to go away.”

Mr Cook said the airport had been striving in the back half of 2023’s calendar year, with the increase in numbers ‘heavily reliant’ on the launch of budget airline Bonza, which has begun servicing Townsville and the surrounding region with a number of new direct routes.

Queensland Airports Limited Regional General Manager Brendan Cook forecasts one of the busiest summers to date. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“It’s been a busy back half of the year, we’ve been seeing really good numbers since July,” Mr Cook said.

“Bonza has been a big influence on the increased numbers, they’ve added about 5000 more seats during our busy periods which adds to the numbers who are coming through, but it’s also down to people looking to travel more, planes just being more full.

“More services are being taken through the main routes, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as well.

“People are back travelling and it’s busier than ever. We’ve had record months through June, July, August, school holidays in October was another busy time for us.”

Mr Cook said the race to prepare for the incoming swell in numbers of travellers would come down to resources, and using them to their fullest.

“Right now, we’re busy making sure we’ve got the right amount of staff in place and the right processes in place... it’s all about resources and making sure that they have a smooth experience when they’re coming through the airport and that we make it as easy as possible for them.”

The airport is also keeping one eye on the developing situation with tropical cyclone Jasper, which is expected to make landfall over the next few days and could wreak havoc with air-travel.

“According to the current forecasts, we’ll have a closer understanding of where it’s going by Friday afternoon,” Mr Cook said.

“We’ve got a very robust natural disaster management plan and we’ll be looking to roll that out and make sure that everyone’s across all their roles and responsibilities and make sure there’s a smooth transition if that event occurs.”

Originally published as Townsville airport expecting best ever numbers in Christmas rush