Record-breaking international passenger numbers fuel Sydney Airport Q1 traffic

AUSTRALIA. Sydney Airport has set a new record for international passenger traffic in the first quarter, welcoming 4.32 million international travellers, a +3.9% increase year-on-year.

This growth helped push total Q1 traffic to 10.4 million passengers, up +0.8% compared to the same period last year.

Passenger numbers on domestic and regional routes fell -1.3% in Q1, with 6.08 million travellers recorded at terminals 1 and 2.

The number of Australians travelling overseas climbed +7.5% in the three-month period, while passenger numbers from South Korea, India and the Philippines also surpassed 2024 figures.

Despite a drop in travel by Japanese passport holders, the airport recorded a 12-month high of 855,000 passengers travelling to and from Japan as of March.

The airport highlighted its strong operational performance in the quarter, with 99.7% of international and 99.9% of domestic travellers clearing security in under ten minutes. Immigration wait times also improved, with 90% of passengers processed within 36 minutes, marking a+10% faster rate compated to the previous quarter.

Enhancing the passenger journey

Sydney Airport attributed the enhanced passenger experience to continued upgrades throughout its terminals.

Key improvements include the addition of 15 security lanes equipped with advanced CT scanners, now in use at T1. Set to be completed by the end of the year, these enhancements will boost screening capacity by nearly 30%, allowing passengers to keep laptops, liquids and aerosols in their carry-on bags.

The A$200 million (US$1.3 million) transformation project in T2 is also on track, with upgrades set to streamline the passenger experience at Australia’s busiest terminals by incorporating advanced technology, modern facilities and greater operational efficiency.

The terminal redesign will enable 95% of passengers to move from entrance to airside in less than 15 minutes.

In T3, travellers will enjoy an expanded array of dining choices, with new offerings to be revealed in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, temporary food stalls are available, alongside Luke’s Bistro & Bar and Stone & Wood.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said, “We’ve delivered a strong start to the year, with quarterly international passenger numbers delivering our highest quarterly international traffic on record, underscoring the continued strength of global travel demand.

“This momentum is further bolstered by key developments, including the announcement of Hong Kong Airlines which will begin flying in June and Turkish Airlines expanding to daily services starting December.

“That momentum is being matched on the ground by some of the most significant upgrades the airport has seen, from enhanced security screening at T1 International, to a major transformation of the T2 Domestic experience, and an exciting refresh of the food & beverage offering at T3 Domestic. These projects will deliver tangible improvements for our passengers.

“As these works progress, we encourage passengers to stay informed by visiting the Sydney Airport website, following our social media channels, and checking in with their airline for the latest updates on their journey.”

Charlton concluded, “As we look forward, our focus remains on building on this momentum and maintaining effective operational performance. The positive start to the year, combined with our ongoing investments in infrastructure and passenger experience, sets us up for sustained growth.”