Brisbane Airport is anticipating a significant surge in passenger traffic this holiday season. With school holidays beginning, the airport expects up to 55,000 passengers daily, setting the stage for its busiest season in years. A total of 3.7 million travelers are projected to pass through its domestic and international terminals, marking a 20% increase from last year and nearing pre-pandemic levels.
Brisbane Airport Readies for Busy Holiday Travel
Brisbane Airport is preparing for what could be its busiest holiday period in several years.
MSN reported that the airport is expecting a 20% increase in passenger numbers from last year. This surge brings the total close to the 4 million travelers seen before COVID-19 hit in 2019. For the first time since the pandemic, over 20,000 passengers are anticipated to use the international terminal in a single year.
Brisbane Airport Corporation's Peter Doherty shared insights on the destinations people are choosing this year. He highlighted that New Zealand continues to be the preferred destination for many, especially during the festive season. Additionally, there has been a rise in flights to Vietnam, Japan, and the United States, offering travelers more options.
As the holiday season unfolds, the news report also mentioned that Brisbane Airport is witnessing a return of tourists from China and a remarkable increase in visitors from India. Doherty commented on this trend, noting the rapid growth of arrivals from India and the re-emergence of China as a top contributor to international tourism.
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Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff emphasized the importance of being prepared for this influx. He remarked on the growth in arrivals, stressing the need for the hospitality industry to be ready for these significant markets, as per Infra Structure.
Travelers are advised to arrive well in advance for their flights - 90 minutes before domestic departures and three hours for international ones. Brisbane Airport also advises passengers to leave gifts unwrapped and avoid bringing Christmas bonbons, as these might be subject to security checks.
Cathay Pacific Boosts Flights at Brisbane Airport
Brisbane Airport is experiencing a significant increase in air traffic, particularly with Cathay Pacific expanding its services. The airline has just raised the number of flights from Brisbane to Hong Kong, moving from four to six weekly flights. This change, driven by higher demands in tourism, cargo, and international students, marks a substantial growth in activity at Brisbane Airport.
Cathay Pacific has announced an expansion of its Brisbane-Hong Kong service, increasing from four to six flights per week. This decision is driven by rising demands in tourism, cargo, and international student travel.
According to Karryon, the new flight, CX156, will depart from Brisbane at 00:40 and reach Hong Kong at 07:30, running from Friday to Wednesday. The return flight, CX157, will leave Hong Kong at 12:30 and arrive in Brisbane at 23:15 from Thursday to Tuesday. Cathay Pacific will use a mix of A350 and B777 aircraft, offering up to 294 seats.
"We're proud to be increasing our services to Brisbane to six flights per week as we continue to meet the increasing demand within Queensland's tourism and export sectors," said Frosti Lau, Cathay Pacific Regional General Manager of Southwest Pacific, as quoted in the report.
Additionally, United Airlines has inaugurated its Brisbane-Los Angeles service, enhancing the connection between Brisbane and the United States. The arrival of UA283 at Brisbane Airport is a milestone, with two United Dreamliners stationed at the airport for the first time. United Airlines operates a daily non-stop service from Brisbane to San Francisco and is the only US carrier flying to Queensland.
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