Melbourne Airport continued to see growth in international passengers in May, as Aussies become more confident to travel overseas and foreign visitors return Down Under.
The airport recorded 367,681 international passengers in May, a 13 per cent increase on the previous month and 43 per cent of May 2019 travellers.
In total, 2,112,182 passengers passed through the airport, a 7 per cent decrease on the bumper traveller numbers seen in April due to the Grand Prix and school and Easter holiday period. Total passengers were 73 per cent of May 2019 figures.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said that while May was slightly quieter than April, the latest figures show an increasingly strong demand for international travel.
“May is traditionally a quieter month for travel, particularly for leisure travellers, so it’s not surprising to see a slight decline in overall passenger numbers,” he said.
“But the international growth we are seeing is really positive, and this demand is giving confidence to airlines to increase capacity. In May we saw Emirates increase to double daily A380 services, Jetstar double its services to Bali, and Qantas resume flights to Christchurch and Wellington. Early in June, United also resumed a three times weekly service between Melbourne and San Francisco.
“We will continue to make further ground later this year when Melbourne hosts the 151st IATA Slot Conference. This will be an opportunity for us to put Melbourne on the global aviation stage and restore international connectivity to our great state.
“We also welcome the government’s decision to remove the requirement to wear masks in airport terminals from midnight this Friday. This change will help our tenants attract workers to fill positions such as baristas and bartenders and put the airport in line with other workplaces around Melbourne and the state.”
Passenger figures for May 2022:
| Passengers | May 2022 | May 2021 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 367,681 | 52,103 | +605% |
| Domestic | 1,744,501 | 1,210,127 | +44% |
| Total (ex transits) | 2,112,182 | 1,262,230 | +67% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 367,681 |
| Domestic | 1,744,501 |
| Total (ex transits) | 2,112,182 |
*Monthly percentage growth compared to May 2021
Passenger figures for Financial Year to May
| Passengers | Financial Year 2021/22 | Financial Year 2020/21 | Growth (%)* |
| International | 1,461,740 | 204,825 | +613% |
| Domestic | 9,167,946 | 5,613,526 | +63% |
| Total (ex transits) | 10,629,686 | 5,818,351 | +82% |
| Passengers | |
| International | 1,461,740 |
| Domestic | 9,167,946 |
| Total (ex transits) | 10,629,686 |
*percentage growth compared to FY 2020/21