Brisbane Airport has officially returned to 100 per cent of its pre-COVID passenger numbers as the International Terminal recorded its two busiest months on record over December and January.   

In December, more than 631,700 passengers passed through the Brisbane International Terminal beating the previous record of January 2020 when 620,000 passengers used the International Terminal.  

However the record stood for less than a month, with 638,800 passengers travelling through the International Terminal in January 2025.  

The figures take Brisbane’s International passenger numbers in January to 109 per cent of pre-COVID numbers, while the Domestic Terminal was at 104 per cent of pre-COVID numbers for the same month. 

“We are proud to have achieved this milestone which has come about through a lot of hard work, close collaboration and strong partnerships,” Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said.  

“While we acknowledge this is a milestone worth celebrating, this will be the last time we ever talk publicly about 2019 numbers. This is a line-in-the-sand moment and from now on we will only quote year-on-year numbers.  

“We’re future focused, looking at what more we can do to continually improve the global connectivity for the people of Queensland, while at the same time investing in and improving the lifestyle of South East Queensland.” 

The growth in international numbers has been driven by new routes including American Airlines to Dallas-Fort Worth, Delta Air Lines to Los Angeles, Jetstar to Bangkok and Qantas to Manila and Palau, while United Airlines, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas have also increased capacity on existing routes.  

“The simple fact is these numbers are being driven by a growing demand from Queenslanders who want to travel and by international visitors who want to come to our beautiful state,” Mr de Graaff said.  

“That demand is only going to increase which is why we’re investing more than $5b across the airport over the next decade in retail, logistics and infrastructure development. 

“Our region and our state demands a world-class airport with connections across the country and the world, and that is what we are focused on delivering every day.” 

Mr de Graaff also acknowledged the Queensland Government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF), as well as Tourism and Events Queensland, which he said had been vital in securing the increased capacity into Brisbane Airport. 

Brisbane Airport by the numbers 

•  3.1 million passengers passed through Brisbane Airport over the Summer peak (13 December 2024 – 27 January 2025) 
• The International Terminal had its highest passenger months on record in December and January 2025, with 631,700 passengers in December and 638,800 in January. This broke the previous record of January 2020 with 620,000 passengers 
• Overall Brisbane Airport has returned to more than 100 per cent of pre-COVID passengers, with the International Terminal operating at 109 per cent in January and the Domestic Terminal operating at 104 per cent  
• Peak travel days: 
• Domestic – Friday, 13 December 2024 with 54,877 passengers 
• International – Sunday 22 December 2024 with 24,164 passengers 

Travel data:

New routes: 

• American Airlines to Dallas Fort Worth 
• Delta Air Lines to Los Angeles 
• Jetstar to Bangkok 
• Qantas to Manila 
• Qantas to Palau 

Additional Capacity: 

• Qantas 
• United Airlines 
• China Eastern  
• Singapore Airlines 
• Cathay Pacific 

Top 5 international routes for January 2025: 

• Brisbane to/from Auckland 
• Brisbane to/from Singapore 
• Brisbane to/from Dubai 
• Brisbane to/from Bali  
• Brisbane to/from Tokyo

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