The green and gold runway begins at Brisbane Airport

In exactly six years, Brisbane will welcome the world for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Thousands of athletes, officials, media, spectators and fans will arrive in Queensland, many experiencing our state for the very first time. Long before they enter a stadium, board a bus to the Games Village or take in the sights of Brisbane, their first impression will be formed at Brisbane Airport.

This makes Brisbane Airport one of the most important venues of the Games.

We may not host a medal event, but as the city's front door, we will play a critical role in shaping the experience of everyone who visits Queensland during one of the most significant moments in our region's history.

Preparing for a global moment

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games represent both an extraordinary opportunity and a significant operational challenge.

For the past 18 months, we've been studying airports that have welcomed the world for major sporting events, including Los Angeles, Paris, London and Sydney. While every Olympic host city faces similar pressures, each airport must find its own way to balance security, efficiency, passenger experience and operational resilience.

Our planning is already well underway

From processing oversized sporting equipment such as bicycles, canoes and poles, to managing aircraft movements during potential airspace restrictions associated with major ceremonies, the complexity of hosting a global event begins long before spectators arrive at a venue.

Arrival and departure data will become more important than ever. The volume of government, private and charter aircraft expected to travel to Brisbane is likely to create operational demands not seen since the G20 Summit in 2014.

And beyond the terminal doors, the Games will place a spotlight on South East Queensland's transport network like never before, requiring seamless connections between the airport, hotels, venues and the Games Village.

Building for growth beyond 2032

While Brisbane 2032 provides a clear milestone, our focus extends well beyond the closing ceremony.

Brisbane is one of Australia's fastest-growing regions and that growth is already being reflected in our airport passenger numbers. Last year, Brisbane Airport welcomed a record 25 million passengers, with that figure expected to reach almost 35 million annually by 2032.

At the same time, the airport workforce is forecast to grow from around 25,000 to 35,000 people, creating jobs and economic opportunities across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Redlands and beyond.

To support that growth, we're investing more than $5 billion over the next five years through Future BNE - the most significant transformation program in Brisbane Airport's history.

Many travellers have already experienced some of the changes underway, including the new direct entry into the Domestic Terminal from Skywalk, upgraded security screening and the recent expansion of airport parking facilities.

Behind the scenes, major investments are being made in baggage systems, terminal infrastructure and customer experience improvements. At the International Terminal, new dining and retail offerings are taking shape, while upgraded check-in facilities and a relocated outbound border control point are expected to open later this year.

An airport is never finished

Airports are often viewed as transport hubs, but their impact extends much further. They are gateways for tourism, trade, investment and connection. They help shape how visitors experience a city and how residents connect with the world.

This is especially true during an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The experience athletes and visitors have when they arrive in Brisbane will become part of the story they take home with them. We want that story to reflect the very best of Queensland - welcoming, efficient, accessible and uniquely local.

But none of this can be achieved alone. Delivering a successful Games experience will require strong partnerships across all levels of government, Olympic agencies, tourism bodies, transport providers and the broader business community, to ensure the Games create lasting benefits across Queensland.

The countdown is on

When Brisbane and Queensland step onto the global stage in 2032, Brisbane Airport will be ready to do what it has always done - connect people, create opportunities and provide a world-class welcome.

Because behind every successful global city is a world-class airport.

We couldn’t be more excited to be building the front door to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.