Key points
- Overall 3,096,627 passengers for March 2019.
- Financial year-to-date passenger figures up 2.1%.
- Overall March traveller numbers down 2.1 per cent compared to figures in 2018.
More than 3 million passengers passed through Melbourne Airport in March 2019, 2.1 per cent down on figures during March 2018.
Last month 895,162 people flew internationally, 2.4 per cent less than the same time last year, while domestic travel dropped by 1.9 per cent.
Some of the biggest factors in the decrease in passenger traffic include the Easter holiday period, shifting from late March in 2018 to mid-April 2019, coupled with a later school holiday period.
Despite the decrease in passenger volumes, the airport’s financial year-to-date figures were up compared to the same time last year, with around 28.5 million people flying through Melbourne, a rise of 2.1 per cent on the previous financial year-to-date figures.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said he was disappointed to see traveller numbers drop, however expected to see numbers pick up next month.
“While it’s incredibly rare to see a year-on-year decline in passenger numbers, the March-April period does typically fluctuate each year. This is driven predominately by Easter dates and Term 1 school holidays,” said Mr Strambi.
“Our financial year-to-date figures still show that numbers are up overall with 28.5 million travellers recorded from 1 July 2018 to the end of March, which is an increase of 2.1 per cent on year-to-date figures the previous year.
“Next month we’re expecting to see passenger figures rise, especially in the international market, and we also look forward to facilitating inbound domestic tourism during the holiday period.
“It was pleasing to see that recent Tourism Research Australia named Victoria’s tourism industry as the nation’s fastest growing, rising almost three times the Australian average and far surpassing Queensland at 3.7 per cent and New South Wales at 2.4 per cent.
“Melbourne Airport is the key enabler to facilitate tourism and we will continue to support the state’s economy.”
Passenger figures for March 2019:
| Passengers | March 2019 | March 2018 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 895,162 | 916,849 | -2.4% |
| Domestic | 2,201,465 | 2,244,823 | -1.9% |
| Total (ex transits) | 3,096,627 | 3,161,672 | -2.1% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 895,162 |
| Domestic | 2,201,465 |
| Total (ex transits) | 3,096,627 |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to March 2018
Passenger figures for FY to March 2019:
| Passengers | March 2019 | March 2018 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 8,741,603 | 8,254,143 | 5.9% |
| Domestic | 19,768,991 | 19,661,849 | 0.5% |
| Total (ex transits) | 28,510,594 | 27,915,992 | 2.1% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 8,741,603 |
| Domestic | 19,768,991 |
| Total (ex transits) | 28,510,594 |
*Note figures are rounded