5.3 million passengers came through Cairns Airport in the twelve months to June 2018, up from 5.2 million in the previous year. Passengers travelling to or from Cairns increased by 90,650 to 5 million, while through passengers transiting through Cairns Airport fell by 44,680.
Chief Commercial Officer Aviation, Paul McLean said the growth in passengers travelling to and from Cairns was equivalent to around 250 extra passengers a day.
Transit passengers decreased due to the suspension of through-flight services including Philippine Airlines.
Domestic passenger numbers were flat in June reflecting the later timing of Queensland school holidays in 2018, and grew by 62,100 or one per cent for the year as airlines grew capacity more slowly than in previous years. Around a third of the domestic passengers are international visitors who will arrive or depart Australia via another international airport.
International passenger numbers were also flat in June, but grew by 28,550 or four per cent for the year.
“International passengers have grown from new airlines including China Southern and Hainan, and more flights during the year from SilkAir,” Mr McLean said.
Current and historic Cairns Airport passenger numbers and air traffic statistics are available here.