Queensland rolls out the welcome mat for Christmas

• 3 million passengers to pass through Brisbane Airport over the holiday period from 13 Dec-27 Jan 
• Domestic travel is forecast to be up 6% on the same period last year 
• International travel forecast to be up 18% on the same period last year 
• Passengers will enjoy roaming Christmas entertainment and Santa’s Workshop interactive zone 

More than 3 million passengers are forecast to travel through Brisbane Airport from this Friday 13 December through to January 27 as the nation goes on holiday, with thousands of visitors heading for Queensland. 

This is on top of the 1 million people who’ve already streamed through the terminals since private schools in Queensland broke for holidays on Friday 29 November. 

The busiest travel days these school holidays at Brisbane Airport will be:

Domestic:  

• Friday 13 December (55,000) 
• Thursday 12 December (53,000) 
• Friday 20 December (52,000) 

International: 

• Saturday 21 December (23,000) 
• Saturday 4 January (23,000) 
• Sunday 22 December (22,000)

Combined Busiest Day Across Both Terminals 

• Friday 13 December (74,000) 
• Friday 20 December (74,000) 
• Thursday 12 December (73,000) 

"We know when Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland’s tourism industry is busy, and the Sunshine State is rolling out the welcome mat for thousands of visitors across its length and breadth,” according to Brisbane Airport spokesperson, Peter Doherty. 

“Our terminals will be humming across the holiday period, so it is important travellers continue to arrive 90 minutes before a domestic flight, and 3 hours before an international flight, so they’re relaxed and ready to get their holiday underway, without a last-minute dash.

“Both the Domestic Terminal and International Terminals are in the middle of major security upgrade works with temporary security facilities in place during this holiday period, so people who’ve not been to BNE for a while will notice changes, which is even more reason to leave ample time before catching a flight.

“We also know people can speed up their journey through security by ensuring they have their laptops out of their bags. 

“And for people flying international, it’s worth refreshing themselves on the rules around carrying powders, liquids, aerosols and gels in carry-on luggage.”  

If in doubt, passengers can visit: bne.com.au/plags 

“Parking is also expected to be near capacity, with construction also underway on an extension that will provide 1,700 additional spaces in 2025, but for these holiday’s, the advice is to book well in advance." 

For Australian residents travelling on holidays this year, we expect the top 3 destination countries to be:  

• New Zealand peak time of year for Kiwis living in Brisbane travelling back to visit families for Christmas)  
• Japan (peak time of year for ski holidays. People are travelling on direct flights on Qantas and Jetstar but also flying via Taipei and Seoul)
• Indonesia (Bali is always a popular holiday destination)  

For overseas visitors arriving for Christmas in Brisbane, the top 3 source countries expected are:   

• New Zealand (extra capacity this year on Qantas from Christchurch and Wellington)  
• UK/Europe (extra capacity provided this year by Emirates with the 2nd A380 service and Cathay Pacific with growth from 6 to 10 per week)  
• USA (new flights by American and Delta Air Lines) 

To make the holiday experience more enjoyable, there are a range of activities in the terminals including a Santa’s Workshop interactive zone and roving festive entertainment including Acrobatic Elves and Hip-Hop Santas.  

For more information contact Brisbane Airport’s 24/7 media hotline: 0466 322 485