iscover
Sydney Airport says it anticipates its biggest-ever year for international travel following another bumper quarter.
Australia’s biggest gateway has recorded 12.55 million international passengers so far this year, fuelled by new services and four per cent growth in international seat capacity. It follows a 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth in international passengers for Q3 of 2025 to 4.28 million.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Domestic and regional travel also increased over the same time last year in the third quarter, but only by 1.4 per cent to 4.28 million. In total, passenger movements at Sydney grew 3.4 per cent year-on-year to 10.68 million.
The news comes after Australian Aviation reported in May how Sydney Airport saw its biggest-ever quarter for international travel, and as Australia moves to expand its bilateral air service agreements, including “open skies” with Canada and Malaysia starting next year.
“Q3 was another quarter of steady growth, supported by inbound demand from key markets including the United Kingdom, China, and Indonesia,” said Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton.
“The recovery in these markets, combined with the continued return of airline capacity, reflects the strength of Sydney’s position as Australia’s international gateway.
“This performance demonstrates the value of our partnerships with airlines, the Australian Border Force, and government agencies as we work together to deliver more efficient and seamless passenger journeys.”
Overseas travel by Australians was up 20 per cent on the same time last year, with China seeing the strongest growth for inbound travel at 11.6 per cent.
“Arrivals by British passport holders increased 26.1 percent, while Indonesia and Japan grew 12.9 percent and 7.2 percent respectively,” the airport said in a press release.
“The growth in British arrivals reflected the impact of the British and Irish Lions rugby tour and additional capacity through the Middle East and Europe, supported by new and expanded airline partnerships.”
Sydney Airport is currently in the midst of major upgrades to its terminals, with 11 of 15 new security screening lanes now operational at the T1 international terminal, as well as two of seven at the T2 domestic terminal.
According to Charlton, the airport’s passenger growth “shows that the investments we are making in screening technology, terminal upgrades, and digital services are improving the travel experience across all terminals”.
“What’s particularly pleasing is that these results were achieved while major infrastructure works continued across the precinct,” he said.
“Our operational teams have maintained consistent performance and reliability through a period of high activity, ensuring passengers continue to enjoy an efficient and welcoming airport experience.”
The airport last month in its Preliminary Draft Master Plan 2045 unveiled plans to link its two domestic terminals into a single precinct.
