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Brisbane Airport has marked three decades since the opening of its dedicated international terminal.
The terminal, which opened to the public on 5 September 1995, replaced an interim “tin shed” building that had served as the international terminal for around 20 years. It now has 19 aerobridges servicing 26 airlines to 35 direct destinations, and is undergoing a major renovation.
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“Airports are never finished and we’re always evolving to meet the needs of a growing city. This latest transformation will ensure we continue to serve Queenslanders for decades to come,” said Brisbane Airport chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff.
“Our International Terminal is Queensland’s gateway to the world, a vital link that underpins the state’s visitor economy and global connectivity.
“Thirty years on, the terminal still ignites the excitement of a holiday departure and the joy of arriving in Queensland, and is a true credit to the vision and skill of its original designers.”
The $240 million terminal, which was completed both early and under budget, was described at its opening by then-Prime Minister Paul Keating as a “confident building”.
“It says something about Australia and it says something about Queensland and I think the confidence that Australia has, Queensland has by the bucket. This is a very confident place,” he said.
Brisbane’s international terminal saw 6,518,653 people pass through in the 12 months to 30 June 2025, up 16.3 per cent on the previous year. According to de Graaff, new research shows that only 7.1 per cent of Brisbane travellers fly overseas from other Australian airports, a historic low.
“You don’t need to fly south to travel north. Brisbane’s International Terminal has a network we can truly be proud of, delivering for Queenslanders every single day,” he said.
The anniversary comes as Brisbane’s international terminal undergoes its most significant changes in the past three decades, with large-scale renovations as part of the $5 billion “Future BNE” transformation program.
Security and passport control will be relocated from level three to a “light-filled atrium” on level four, while security screening equipment will be enhanced, self-service check-in and bag drop installed, baggage systems upgraded, and retail offerings expanded, including a doubling in size of the duty-free area.
Construction will be phased to minimise disruption, with works expected to be completed by 2027.
Brisbane Airport’s transformation program includes renovations to its domestic and international terminals, continued planning for a new Terminal 3 precinct, aircraft parking and apron expansions, runway resurfacing, and a new aeromedical facility so medical repatriation and emergency services can be centralised at the airport.
