Key points
- Terminal 2 records busiest day on record with 40,363 travellers flying on 22 December 2018.
- International passenger throughput up 3.4 per cent compared to December 2017.
- International financial year-to-date traveller numbers up 8 per cent on last year.
International passenger numbers at Melbourne Airport climbed once again setting new records during the holiday season.
The Saturday before Christmas proved to be the busiest day in history for Terminal 2, with more than 40,000 international jetsetters travelling both ways, smashing the previous record of approximately 38,700 on the same day last year.
Saturday 22 December was also the busiest day for T2 Departures with 21,432 people flying outbound ahead of Christmas.
Around 1.05 million international travellers passed through Melbourne Airport overall, an increase of 3.4 per cent compared to December 2017.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said Victorian travellers were clearly taking advantage of the airport’s extensive international offering.
“It is pleasing to see our international passenger volumes rise consistently, which is largely due to the addition of new international airlines joining Melbourne Airport in recent times,” said Mr Strambi.
“Last month there was a small decline in domestic travel, however our latest financial year-to-date data shows strong growth in passenger traffic overall with approximately 19.2 million people flying between July 2017 and December 2018, a rise of 2.9 per cent compared to 2017.
“Looking ahead we will continue to work closely with our tourism partners to promote Victoria on a global scale and we will undertake a suite of works to improve the airport asset.
“Some of the projects set to take shape over the next 12 months include a redevelopment of the T2 check-in hall, expansion of international security screening and construction of a new on-airport hotel all aimed at improving the traveller experience.”
Passenger figures for December 2018:
| Passengers | December 2018 | December 2017 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 1,056,427 | 1,021,905 | 3.4% |
| Domestic | 2,204,302 | 2,230,354 | -1.2% |
| Total (ex transits) | 3,260,729 | 3,252,259 | 0.3% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 1,056,427 |
| Domestic | 2,204,302 |
| Total (ex transits) | 3,260,729 |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to December 2017
Passenger figures for FY to December 2018:
| Passengers | December 2018 | December 2017 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 5,868,177 | 5,429,810 | 8.1% |
| Domestic | 13,384,208 | 13,273,433 | 0.8% |
| Total (ex transits) | 19,252,385 | 18,703,243 | 2.9% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 5,868,177 |
| Domestic | 13,384,208 |
| Total (ex transits) | 19,252,385 |
*Note figures are rounded