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The number of international passengers travelling through Melbourne Airport hit an all-time high in October – despite domestic travellers still falling far behind pre-COVID-19 levels.
In total, the number of international passengers for the month hit nearly 975,000, up 9 per cent on the previous year. However, the 2,163,667 domestic passengers still lagged 200,000 behind the number recorded in the same month in pre-pandemic 2019.
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The airport’s CEO, Lorie Argus, said the growth in traveller numbers came despite the “economic headwinds many households are facing”.
“International passenger numbers were the highest they’ve ever been in October, while domestic travellers hit a new post-pandemic high,” she said.
“We are planning for continued growth, to make sure our terminal, airfield and ground transport infrastructure meets the needs of travellers not just today, but also for the decades to come.”
Melbourne’s performance mirrors that of many major airports on Australia’s east coast, which are seeing stagnating domestic numbers due to a reduction in business travel and cost-of-living pressures.
The news of increasing overseas trips, though, comes two months after the federal government approved Melbourne Airport’s long-awaited third runway.
The 3,000-metre runway, planned to open in 2031, will be built parallel to the existing north-south runway and 1.3 kilometres to the west. Its opening will allow for simultaneous take-offs and landings, which the airport says will increase capacity and reduce delays.
“Australia’s vast distances and Melbourne’s position on the globe mean demand for air access will continue to grow as our population increases,” Argus said.
“The new north-south runway will ensure Victoria’s primary international gateway has adequate capacity to serve the state’s needs for future generations.
“Sydney and Brisbane already operate parallel runway systems, so this will ensure that Melbourne does not become a handbrake on the national air network or the national economy.”
Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said she had imposed the “most comprehensive set of conditions for a project of this type” in order to address the noise concerns of nearby residents.
These include restoring the length of the east-west runway for noise sharing; design and implementation of a noise-sharing and airspace plan; implementing a noise amelioration program for affected communities; and conducting a community health study into noise impacts both before and after the runway’s construction.
Dr Chrystal Zhang, aviation expert at RMIT, said the third runway is badly needed in spite of the noise concerns.
“A third runway will enhance Melbourne Airport’s operational capacity and help minimise flight delays. It will accommodate more traffic, improve the passenger travel experience and reduce airline operational cost,” she said.
“An impact on surrounding suburbs is inevitable. But the airport is exploring noise impacts and will continue to monitor noise levels across the next two decades to attend to the community’s needs.
“The airport will also undertake comprehensive consultations with stakeholders and communities to ensure this impact is minimised. In particular, it is encouraging that the airport will consult on the runway orientation and length as well as the flight path design.”
The airport last year installed three portable noise monitors to examine the potential impact of the third runway on surrounding communities.
