Community
7 December, 2024
Flights soar at airport
INTERNATIONAL passenger numbers at Cairns Airport are the best since pre-pandemic levels, with 2025 set for a bumper year as Cathay Pacific returns soon, the launch of a new domestic service this week and further historic airline arrivals in the pipeline.
Airport figures show that last month there were 59,062 international arrivals at the airport – the best since 69,164 in August 2019.
The airport is expecting 270,000 travellers in the three weeks leading into Christmas.
Jetstar operated its first ever direct flight from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday, connecting two of Queensland’s most sought-after destinations in a welcome development for regional travellers who frequented the popular route under failed Bonza.
Cathay Pacific will commence its highly-anticipated seasonal service on December 17, extending through to March 29.
This will be followed by the start of Cairns’ first direct fight to Christchurch with Jetstar on April 1 and Fiji Airways’ inaugural service from April 10.
Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said the business was ready for a busy holiday season, closing out a successful year with more milestones on the horizon.
“In 2024, we welcomed Singapore Airlines’ widebody A350 services and AirAsia Indonesia began flying to Cairns Airport for the first time,” he 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,” he said.
“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 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 assist with security screening processes at peak times during the holiday travel period.
“I would like to thank our community for their patience and understanding at this exciting and busy time of year.”
It comes amid significant commercial developments at Cairns Airport, aimed at enhancing customers’ experience leading into the festive season and beyond.
A series of new stores and services have opened in the domestic terminal.
