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Melbourne Airport has marked its busiest ever financial year, with almost 37 million passengers through its terminals in 2025-26.
Australia’s largest 24-hour gateway saw annual international passengers surpass 12 million for the first time, across more than 57,000 flights, with December 2025 also marking Melbourne’s busiest month on record since its opening in 1970.
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China was the largest country of origin for non-Australian passport holders, up eight per cent to 636,245, followed by New Zealand, India, the UK and the US.
“Monthly passenger numbers in June were down slightly on the previous year, with seat capacity to the key Middle East hubs of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi progressively resuming, but yet to return to pre-conflict levels,” the airport said.
“Domestic traveller numbers were relatively stable in June despite a reduction in airline seat capacity but grew 2.2 per cent across the 12-month period.”
The news comes as Melbourne embarks on massive upgrades to its international terminal, including enlarging and modernising check-in and baggage claim halls; growing its terminal footprint with improved lounges, waiting areas and retail; and adding five new gates to the existing pier.
According to airport CEO Lorie Argus, the growth in international passenger numbers highlights the need for the privately-funded overhaul.
“We’ve committed to a $4.5 billion expansion of our international terminal, a new third runway and an enhanced road network to cater for Melbourne’s growth,” she said.
“Passengers will start to notice some of these changes in October, when we open our new and much larger, free pick up and drop off zones for Qantas, International and Virgin Australia travellers in the T123 Transport Hub.”
Argus also welcomed this week’s announcement that the government will modernise the border process, replacing the paper incoming passenger card with a digital alternative.
“Given the growing volume of travellers, the international arrivals process is currently one of our biggest passenger pain points, so we’re pleased the Federal Government has committed to fixing this,” she said.
“We’re excited to work with the Federal Government to ensure a seamless rollout of the new digital arrivals process in Melbourne.”
Terminal works are slated to begin following the opening of Melbourne Airport’s new road network in September and will be carried out over several years.
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