Sydney Airport at nearly 90% of pre-pandemic levels amid Chinese visitor recovery

Sydney Australia May 19, 2014 passenger aircraft Boeing 747-400 in Qantas colour scheme getting towed to the Qantas Maintenance hangar at Sydney Kingsford Smith airport with the city Skyline in the background, also visible some cargo Commercial Airplanes
Edited by Travel Weekly


    Sydney Airport has released data showing total of 3.06 million passengers passed through Sydney Airport in June 2023, representing an 89.9 per cent recovery compared to pre-pandemic June 2019.

    Passenger traffic at Sydney Airport’s T1 international terminal continues to grow with 1.16 million travellers passing through in June, almost half a million more passengers than last June, representing an 88.8 per cent recovery rate on June 2019.

    Domestic passenger traffic increased 1.2 per cent year-on-year to 1.90 million travellers in June, a 90.6% recovery rate compared to June 2019.

    Chinese visitor numbers continue to surge 

    The number of Chinese visitors continues to surge as the seven airlines flying between Sydney to mainland China increase capacity.

    For the third month in a row, Chinese nationals have ranked third in the top 10 nationalities travelling through Sydney Airport, with the June number representing a 69 per cent recovery rate on pre-pandemic June 2019 passengers.

    This is a significant jump from May, when the recovery rate was 54 per cent and a strong result considering at the start of the year Chinese visitor numbers were just 22 per cent recovered.

    Top 10 nationalities travelling through Sydney Airport, June 2023. (Supplied)

    “International passenger numbers are now closing in on pre-pandemic levels with strong demand on the mainland China route helping drive the recovery,” CEO, Sydney Airport, Geoff Culbert, said.

    “To see the Chinese visitor market 69 per cent recovered within six months of the border reopening is a phenomenal result.

    “As demand grows, the seven Chinese carriers operating out of Sydney are continuing to add capacity, with 51 return services now flying weekly.

    “The international passenger recovery is now close to surpassing the domestic recovery, which has remained largely stagnant over the last year.

    “While June domestic passenger numbers were almost on par with June last year, international traffic is gaining momentum and was up 66.7 per cent.

    Sydney Airport rolling 12 month passenger traffic. (Supplied)

    “Steep airfares and high cancellation rates on popular domestic routes are suppressing demand.

    “In the 12 months to June, passenger numbers on the Sydney to Melbourne route were just 81 per cent recovered compared to pre-pandemic levels, while numbers between Sydney and Canberra were only 64 per cent recovered.

    “It will be interesting to see if this is a long-term trend. If incumbent airlines have decided to fly less between key domestic markets, then they should relinquish slots to domestic and international carriers who want to operate out of Sydney Airport and provide more choice for customers.”

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