Key points
- Record 37.4 million people travelled through Melbourne Airport in FY18/19.
- International growth up by 5.3% in FY18/19.
- Two new airlines and two new international destinations added.
Melbourne Airport has reached its highest passenger milestone by welcoming 37.4 million travellers in the 2018/19 financial year – almost 2 per cent higher than the record achieved last year.
International tourism experienced the most significant boost with around 11.4 million travellers flying in and out of Melbourne, a rise of 5.3 per cent compared to the last financial year.
The top five nationalities to travel through Melbourne Airport over FY18/19 include: China/Hong Kong, New Zealand, India, United Kingdom and the United States. Further, the overall percentage of Australian passport holders travelling overseas through Melbourne increased by 5.9 per cent on last financial year.
During the past 12 months the airport also welcomed two new airlines in Cebu Pacific Air and Air Vanuatu and added two new international destinations: San Francisco and Port Vila.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said he was pleased traveller numbers increased to a new record.
“I’m proud that Melbourne Airport smashed its passenger figures once again, making the 2018/19 financial year the busiest in the airport’s 49-year history,” said Mr Strambi.
“The growth in the international market is phenomenal, rising by more than five per cent on the 2017/18 financial year, which clearly demonstrates the popularity in overseas travel and strength in Melbourne as a tourism destination.
“We are also seeing growth diversify into markets such as India, Canada and the Philippines, which is really exciting for our operation.”
Mr Strambi said expanding the airport’s international network was a priority and he was pleased to welcome two new carriers in the past 12 months.
“We know Victorians are keen travellers, so it was great to add two new non-stop flights to Port Vila and San Francisco via Air Vanuatu and Qantas respectively. We also welcomed Cebu Pacific Air, in addition to Air Vanuatu, taking our total number of international airlines to 36,” said Mr Strambi.
“It has been a great year and I am very proud of the contribution the airport community has made to facilitating tourism, freight and trade through Melbourne Airport.”
Travellers can now fly to 30 domestic destinations and 45 international destinations through a non-stop service.
Passenger figures for Financial Year 2018/19:
| Passengers | Financial Year 2018/19 (‘000) | Financial Year 2017/18 (‘000) | Growth (%)* |
| International | 11,441,671 | 10,866,403 | 5.3% |
| Domestic | 25,954,321 | 25,841,878 | 0.4% |
| Total (ex transits) | 37,395,992 | 36,708,281 | 1.9% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 11,441,671 |
| Domestic | 25,954,321 |
| Total (ex transits) | 37,395,992 |
*percentage growth compared to FY 2017/18
Passenger figures for June 2019:
| Passengers | June 2019 | June 2018 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 909,356 | 908,895 | 0.1% |
| Domestic | 1,963,625 | 1,992,382 | -1.4% |
| Total (ex transits) | 2,872,981 | 2,901,277 | -1.0% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 909,356 |
| Domestic | 1,963,625 |
| Total (ex transits) | 2,872,981 |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to June 2018