Hobart Airport has recorded 13 consecutive months of year-on-year passenger growth, with January capping the run as the busiest month in its history.
More than 314,000 passengers travelled through the terminal in January – up 2% on the same month last year.
That momentum has continued, with 271,000 passengers recorded in March, a 7% increase on March last year.
Rolling 12-month passenger numbers have now topped 2.9 million for the first time, making Hobart the second fastest-growing airport in Australia for annual domestic passenger growth.
Hobart Airport Chief Operating Officer Matt Cocker said the streak reflected growing confidence from airlines and Tasmania’s rising appeal as a holiday destination.
“This momentum reflects a combination of sustained demand, business events, confidence from airlines and Tasmania’s growing appeal year-round,” Cocker told Pulse.
The winter outlook is also tracking strongly.
Airlines have locked in more than 1.2 million seats to Hobart between May and September, the highest winter capacity on record and more than 33,000 extra seats compared to last year.
“This includes securing more than 100,000 extra seats around Dark Mofo, supported by strong demand from events, business travel and Tasmania’s Off-Season campaign,” Cocker said.
He encouraged travellers to book early given the level of capacity airlines had committed.
Qantas’s decision to cut five flights a week from Hobart hasn’t dented confidence at the airport.
Cocker said there had been minor, short-term schedule changes ahead of mid-June but overall capacity remained above previous years.
“It is important to note that airlines regularly fine-tune schedules to manage demand and optimise connectivity – this is normal across the industry,” he said.
Hobart Airport currently handles around 380 flights each week on average.
Meanwhile, the airport’s major terminal upgrade is now more than one-third complete.
Cocker said the project, which aims to double the size of the terminal, is on time and on budget.
“Ongoing private investment is focused on ensuring the airport can comfortably handle record passenger numbers while maintaining efficient operations and high service standards,” Cocker said.
