Melbourne Airport Traffic Hits 88% of 2019 Levels in March

Melbourne Airport handled 2.71 million passengers in March, up 57% year-on-year, the airport operator announced today. This is the first time that passenger traffic has reached 88% of pre-COVID levels since the start of the pandemic.

International passenger traffic grew 251% to 721,500, while domestic passenger traffic rose 31% to 1.99 million.

The increase in passenger traffic was driven by a number of factors, including the easing of travel restrictions in Australia and overseas, the reopening of borders, and the growing demand for international travel.

The strong performance of Melbourne Airport is a positive sign for the Australian economy and the tourism industry. The airport is a major gateway for international visitors to Australia, and its recovery is a sign that the country's tourism sector is beginning to rebound.

In April, the airport has seen further capacity increases, with VietJet launching flights from Melbourne to Ho Chi Minh City and Qantas set to start direct flights from Melbourne to Jakarta. Domestic seat numbers have also increased, helped by new low-cost carrier Bonza launching flights from Melbourne.

Melbourne Airport Chief of Aviation Jim Parashos said the ongoing restoration of capacity would help put downward pressure on fares.

"The Easter long weekend has shown that people still have a real desire to travel, and we expect fares will continue to moderate as more capacity is added to the market," Parashos said.

The airport is also investing in a number of projects to improve its facilities and services, including a new terminal, a new runway, and a new bus station. These investments are expected to support the airport's continued growth in the years to come.