QAL Chalks Up New March Records

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) continues to experience record passenger growth across its four airports – with seven per cent growth for the group delivering its strongest March on record.

Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports all recorded growth, with the Gold Coast buoyed by athlete and spectator arrivals for the Commonwealth Games coinciding with Queensland and New South Wales school holidays.

Townsville Airport was the hero of the group, with 14.6 per cent growth delivering its biggest percentage jump in the past eight years and making it one of Australia’s fastest growing airports.
A summary of March results is provided in the table below:

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said record results from the Gold Coast to Townsville showed growth across the state, in both business and lesiure travel markets.

“Gold Coast experienced its strongest March on record, which we were expecting given the timing of the Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“We saw the most significant growth for Gold Coast Airport from the New Zealand market, with 9.8 per cent more passengers than March last year.

“Now that we’ve delivered our $86 million airside upgrade at Gold Coast Airport, our focus will turn to delivery of the next stage of Project LIFT – the terminal expansion.

Mr Mills said Townsville had been showing consistent growth for the past 10 months which had culminated in its strongest March on record and biggest percentage growth in eight years.

“Townsville is one of the country’s fastest growing airports and that is demonstrative of the recovery of the North Queensland economy,” he said.

“Melbourne is again a standout performer for Townsville and we have seen additional capacity on Brisbane, as well as regional routes like Cloncurry and Mount Isa.

“Townsville’s growth is spread across business and leisure markets and we are certainly seeing an increase in resources industry travel in and out of Townsville.

“We are nearing completion of our airside upgrade, to allow for additional aircraft parking capacity, so our sights are firmly set on progressing the Project Alive terminal redevelopment.”

Mr Mills said it was pleasing to see Mount Isa Airport continue its growth trajectory.

“Momentum in Mount Isa is growing, with passenger movements up 10.6 per cent on the year prior,” he said.

“Ongoing resources-related activity has well and truly restored confidence in the region, and this has contributed to the past 14 consecutive months of passenger growth.

“We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead in the Isa as the Rodeo celebates its 60th year of operation – an event that provides a welcome tourism boost to the region and one we are proud to have sponsored for the past 20 years.”

Longreach Airport has welcomed the steady return of passenger growth, seeing a 10.5 per cent increase in movements on the year prior.

ENDS.

Media contact:
Corporate Relations, Queensland Airports Ltd P: (07) 5589 1414.