Melbourne Airport Passenger Performance August 2019

Victoria’s visitor economy has held strong in the face of growing economic uncertainty. Melbourne Airport’s passenger numbers for August show visitation stabilising after going backwards in July. The airport recorded more than three million passengers through its doors in August, up 0.5 per cent compared to the same period last year.
 
The biggest jump was in the international passenger market, with more than 947,000 people travelling on an overseas service, a growth of 0.7 per cent compared to August 2018. Domestic numbers also increased by 0.4 per cent, hitting 2,171,265.
 
For the financial year to date, passenger numbers remain down on the prior year, further highlighting capacity constraints in the domestic market. The capacity discipline being exercised by domestic airlines seems to be impacting the desire for Australians to travel for both business and leisure in what are uncertain economic conditions.
 
Nonetheless, Melbourne’s jam-packed calendar of major events retained plenty of appeal with visitors during the month. During August, the city celebrated fashion and the arts with many visitors in the city to attend the Melbourne International Film Festival and Melbourne Fashion Week, among other events.  
As the natural gateway to the city, Melbourne Airport supported the region’s busy events calendar by highlighting a number of key events through terminal activations.
 
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said he was pleased to see numbers rise in August.
 
“It was positive to see both domestic and international traveller numbers rise last month, helped by our city’s buzzing events scene,” said Mr Strambi.
 
“We are fortunate that Melbourne is the major events hub for Australia, creating multiple opportunities for us to activate the terminal building. Last month, we transformed Terminal 4 into a catwalk, as an extension of Melbourne Fashion Week, much to the delight of domestic travellers.”
 
“We also heavily promoted the Melbourne International Film Festival, Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and the theatrical hit ‘Charlie the Musical’ with a supporting retail campaign.”
 
Visit Victoria CEO Peter Bingeman reiterated the importance of major events in attracting visitors all year round.
 
“Victoria has the best major events calendar in Australia with events such as Boomers vs USA basketball and White Night Reimagined compelling people to visit our great city in August."
 
Mr Strambi said the airport would continue to invest in terminal and airfield improvements, with a number of projects earmarked for completion by the end of the year.

Passenger figures for August 2019:

*Monthly percentage growth compared to August 2018
 

Passenger figures for Financial Year 2019/20:

*percentage growth compared to FY 2018/19