Launceston Airport has just notched up its busiest July on record, with 115,792 passengers travelling through the terminal as more visitors flocked to northern Tasmania.
The figure represents a 7.4% increase on July 2024, when 107,810 people passed through the airport.
The school holidays were the biggest driver, with 66,494 passengers recorded between July 5–20 alone – making it one of the busiest holiday periods ever.
New chief executive Katie Cooper, who left Metro to take on the top job, said the milestone highlighted the airport’s growing role in Tasmania’s economy.
“Launceston Airport is playing an increasingly important role in Tasmania, by facilitating connections with the rest of Australia and ensuring the success of some of our most important industries,” she said.
Cooper also paid tribute to her predecessor, Shane O’Hare, for steering the airport through four successful years, calling it “an exciting time” to be stepping in.
The record comes as the airport redevelops its departures hall and works to lock in more airline seats and new routes.
“We’re working hard to secure extra capacity from the airlines because we know that more seats into Launceston means more opportunities for the people who live here,” Cooper said.
Despite the strong results, she stressed there was still work ahead to achieve the airport’s long-term ambitions.
“These results are wonderful, but there’s still plenty of work to do to achieve our vision of becoming Australia’s favourite regional airport,” Cooper said.
July’s figures also soared past pre-pandemic levels, eclipsing the 112,636 passengers recorded in July 2019.
To help attract more flights to Tasmania, the Liberals have pledged to amend the guidelines of the state’s aviation attraction fund within their first 100 days in office.
The party says the changes will “unlock tens of thousands of more airline seats to Tasmania” and boost visitation, jobs and the regional visitor economy.
