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Melbourne Airport has marked the busiest month in its history, with January 2025 surpassing the previous record set in December 2019, just before COVID-19 hit.
In total, 3,393,977 passengers travelled through Melbourne’s terminals last month, compared to 3,322,940 in December 2019. This also included a record 1,238,829 international passengers, 671,135 of whom were arrivals.
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The news comes after international carriers including Turkish Airlines, Vietjet, Cebu Pacific, China Southern and China Airlines all increased their capacity into Melbourne over the past 12 months, with Delta Air Lines set to launch LAX services, and Virgin Australia to launch Doha flights, in December 2025.
“Since the Australian border reopened in 2021, we’ve been working closely with the Victorian government to rebuild international airline capacity into Melbourne, and we’re now seeing the benefits,” airport chief executive Lorie Argus said.
“When Melbourne Airport’s arrival halls are busy, Melbourne’s restaurants and cafes are busy, our hotels are busy and Victoria’s tourism industry is busy, which is great for employment and the state economy.
“It’s incredible to think that in just three years we’ve rebuilt international capacity from close to nothing, to the point where we are setting new records.
“The challenge for us now is to deliver the infrastructure we need to cater for this ongoing growth. That’s why we’re building a new baggage system, a new road system and a new runway, as well as working with the airlines to expand the international terminal to give them the capacity they need to grow.”
Melbourne last month flagged a possible expansion to its international terminal, with growing traffic placing a strain on its existing infrastructure.
The airport is currently in the midst of a $500 million overhaul of its international baggage systems, with a new “tote-based” system to allow any-time check-in and early bag storage to increase capacity.
It is now in discussions regarding an expanded international satellite with up to five new wide-body gates, as well as more room for shops, passenger waiting areas and airline lounges.
Melbourne in December 2023 was the first Australian airport to exceed pre-pandemic international capacity in a month that saw it break 1 million monthly international passengers for the first time since the pandemic.
Its third runway, greenlit last year and built parallel to the existing north-south runway and 1.3 kilometres to the west, is planned to open in 2031 and will allow for simultaneous take-offs and landings.
