Aviation surges as Perth Airport posts record passenger numbers
Perth Airport has delivered another bumper year for aviation with a record 16.9 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2024.
A surge in international travellers and continued growth in regional and interstate travel has seen an additional 1.6 million passengers in 2024 compared to 2023.
More than half of this increase (56 per cent) came from additional international passengers. International passenger numbers grew 23 per cent year-on-year.
Regional routes continued to perform strongly, growing by almost 7 per cent in 2024, with interstate travel also growing by 6 per cent.
The 2024 total easily beats the previous calendar year passenger record of 15.3 million set in 2023 and represents an increase of 14 per cent increase on pre-Covid numbers.
Perth Airport’s CEO Jason Waters said the continued growth in aviation augurs well for the Western Australian economy.
“Perth Airport is a great barometer for the Western Australian economy,” Mr Waters said.
“If Perth Airport is growing, then the Western Australian economy is growing and prospering.
“We believe there is great potential for further growth in passenger numbers as we move towards a potential 20 million passengers a year by 2030.
“International travel has enormous potential with Perth Airport and Tourism WA about to host almost 1,000 national and international aviation decision-makers for the Routes Asia conference in March.
Mr Waters said Perth Airport was working hard to deliver additional capacity at the airport to encourage further growth in aviation.
“We are pushing ahead with our planning and delivery of a multi-billion-dollar investment program to deliver a new runway, new terminal facilities, two multi-storey carparks with major road upgrades, and our first hotel,” he said.
“This will see the capacity and efficiency of Perth Airport grow and in turn will underpin more growth in aviation, tourism and hospitality, the resources sector, and international business and education links.
“Construction has commenced on the first multi-storey carpark, early works for the new runway are set to commence in the first half of this year, and work is accelerating on planning and approvals processes for the remaining major projects.
“This will deliver on the long-held vision for One Airport which will deliver greater efficiency for airlines, a better travel experience for passengers, and major economic benefits for Western Australia.”