Which are the ten airports in Australia with the highest traffic volume?

Travel Destinations

By Caroline Lascom

Air travel in Australia

Air travel is a vital transportation mode in Australia, connecting cities and regions across the country. With a vast land area of over 7.6 million square kilometers, traveling by air is often the quickest and most convenient way for Australians to get around. The country boasts a well-developed aviation industry, with a broad network of airports serving both domestic and international flights.

Methodology: Data collection and analysis

To determine the busiest airports in Australia, we collected data on passenger traffic volume from the Airports Council International (ACI) World Airport Traffic Report for the year 2019. The report ranks airports worldwide based on the number of passengers that pass through their terminals annually. We analyzed the data to identify the ten airports in Australia with the highest traffic volume.

Top airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the busiest airport in Australia, with a total of 44.4 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2019. Located in Mascot, Sydney, the airport serves as a hub for the country’s largest airline, Qantas, as well as a base for many other domestic and international carriers.

Second busiest: Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport is the second busiest airport in Australia, with 37.5 million passengers in 2019. The airport, located in Tullamarine, Melbourne, serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Jetstar and Tigerair, as well as international carriers such as Emirates and Air New Zealand.

Third busiest: Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport ranks third on the list, with 23.4 million passengers in 2019. Located in Brisbane, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Virgin Australia and Jetstar, as well as international carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Fourth busiest: Perth Airport

Perth Airport is the fourth busiest airport in Australia, with 14.5 million passengers in 2019. The airport, located in Perth, serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, as well as international carriers such as Emirates and AirAsia X.

Fifth busiest: Adelaide Airport

Adelaide Airport ranks fifth on the list, with 8.5 million passengers in 2019. Located in Adelaide, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Jetstar and Virgin Australia, as well as international carriers such as Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Sixth busiest: Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport is the sixth busiest airport in Australia, with 6.5 million passengers in 2019. Located in Coolangatta, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Jetstar and Virgin Australia, as well as international carriers such as Air New Zealand and AirAsia X.

Seventh busiest: Cairns Airport

Cairns Airport ranks seventh on the list, with 5.8 million passengers in 2019. Located in Cairns, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Jetstar and Virgin Australia, as well as international carriers such as Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific.

Eighth busiest: Canberra Airport

Canberra Airport is the eighth busiest airport in Australia, with 3.1 million passengers in 2019. Located in Canberra, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia.

Ninth busiest: Hobart Airport

Hobart Airport ranks ninth on the list, with 2.9 million passengers in 2019. Located in Hobart, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Jetstar and Virgin Australia.

Tenth busiest: Darwin International Airport

Darwin International Airport is the tenth busiest airport in Australia, with 2.3 million passengers in 2019. Located in Darwin, the airport serves as a hub for several domestic airlines, including Qantas and Virgin Australia, as well as international carriers such as AirAsia X and SilkAir.

Conclusion: Summary of findings

In conclusion, air travel is a crucial mode of transportation in Australia, connecting cities and regions across the vast country. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the busiest airport in Australia, followed by Melbourne Airport and Brisbane Airport. Other major airports include Perth Airport, Adelaide Airport, and Gold Coast Airport.

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Caroline Lascom

Caroline is a seasoned travel writer and editor, passionate about exploring the world. She currently edits captivating travel content at TravelAsker, having previously contributed her exceptional skills to well-known travel guidebooks like Frommer’s, Rough Guides, Footprint, and Fodor’s. Caroline holds a bachelor's degree in Latin American studies from Manchester University (UK) and a master's degree in literature from Northwestern University. Having traveled to 67 countries, her journeys have fueled her love for storytelling and sharing the world's wonders.

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