Launceston Airport reaches all-time highs in December

The airport also set a new record for the most passengers handled in one day with 5954 passengers touching down and taking off on December 22, which just beat out the previous record of 5947 set on December 30, 2019.

Overall, the December figure was a 15% increase on the same time last year, and the fifth consecutive month exceeding all-time records.

It’s also the biggest start to a financial year on record, from July 1 through to December 31, 2023, the airport recorded 682,845 passengers which surpasses the previous record of 675,676 for the same period in 2019.

Launceston Airport CEO Shane O'Hare said the airport was looking forward to setting more records in 2024.

"The pandemic is now in the rear view, we will continue to push ahead attracting new airlines, adding capacity and new routes into the network which will in turn put downward pressure on prices.

"These numbers reflect a huge 2023 for the airport, as we welcomed our first new airline in more than 15 years, the early return of seasonal direct services to Adelaide and Perth and the completion of a transformative infrastructure project in our Check in Hall.

"The success of recent Tourism Tasmania campaigns has driven significant demand, and just this week we saw their exceptional work on display, selling Tasmania to the world.

"We are expecting 2.5 million passengers through our doors by 2040, and we are building and upgrading infrastructure across the precinct to cater for the future.

"After reimagining the passenger journey through our Check-in Hall and Security screening point, we will now turn our attention to the Arrivals Hall as we commence phase two of a complete terminal transformation.

For further information contact: Launceston Airport Media on (03) 9335 3666