Domestic Passengers
Townsville Airport handled 1,372,693 passengers to 30 June 2007 with most passengers originating from domestic sources, particularly within Queensland.
In 1990, the number of domestic passengers decreased significantly because of the effect of the pilots’ dispute. Other features of the period are the times of moderate growth in the 80s and a sequence of accelerated growth following the deregulation of the domestic aviation industry in October 1990. The passenger levels of the 80s are inflated by Cairns passengers who traveled through Townsville. When the airlines decided in the early 1990s to overfly Townsville to and from Cairns, Cairns passengers were no longer included in the Townsville statistics.
Between 2005/06 and 2006/07 Townsville Airport experienced 10.6% growth in passengers.
International Passengers
There are 50 international airlines with rights to fly to Townsville but none are currently exercising those rights.
International passenger numbers fell sharply in 1991 with the withdrawal of scheduled services. The upturn in 1993 was the result of the introduction of scheduled services by Garuda. These services ceased in 1994. MBA commenced services to Papua New Guinea in early 1997 and then withdrew later in October 1997.
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Flight West Airlines also commenced direct services to/from Papua New Guinea in October 1998 and then withdrew in February 1999. Qantas operated a trial Townsville/Singapore (via Brisbane) service for 3 months during 2002.
Aircraft Movements
In the year ending 30 September 2004, aircraft movements at Townsville International Airport totaled approximately 60,692 comprising:
International |
372
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Domestic/Regional/Freight |
20350
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General Aviation |
39970 |
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