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Launceston Airport has seen its busiest financial year on record, with almost 1.5 million passengers.
A total of 1,478,925 people travelled through Launceston’s terminal in 2025-26, up three per cent on the previous year, with January the busiest month in the airport’s history. A total of eight monthly records were beaten over the last 12 months.
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Overall passenger numbers grew despite “airline capacity reductions”, the airport said, with travellers being re-accommodated onto other services; Launceston has also seen solid demand for Link Airways’ new Canberra service.
“More than 90 per cent of travellers arrive into Tasmania via air, and for a significant number of those Launceston Airport is their first and last impression of Tasmania,” said Launceston Airport CEO Katie Cooper.
“That’s why we’ve worked so hard across the year redeveloping our Departures Hall, to make sure the look, feel, taste and experience here at Launceston Airport is truly Tasmanian.
“A busy arrivals hall here translates to more feet on trails, more heads on pillows and more bums on seats at restaurants in our region and across the state.”
The news comes as Launceston Airport’s terminal refurbishments continue, with a $12 million expansion of its departure gates beginning in April.
The project will see the construction of a new boarding gate, as well as a “complete renovation and modernisation” of Gates 3 and 4, and a 600-square-metre expansion of the gate area.
“Our success is deeply intertwined with the state’s, with tourism contributing more than $4.5 billion to Tasmania’s GSP annually, supporting more than 50,000 jobs,” said Cooper.
“We’re building to accommodate future growth with our Departures Gate project in full swing, ensuring Launceston Airport has the infrastructure to support the demand we’re seeing today, and the growth we expect tomorrow.”
Announced last February, the terminal expansion is set to add three new food and beverage outlets and increase passenger amenities.
“As part of the project, the Departure Hall’s footprint will be expanded to increase the leisure space for travelling passengers,” the airport said at the time.
“Three amenity blocks will undergo a complete refresh, and modern traveller conveniences such as fast Wi-Fi and charging points will be added in addition to more seating for passengers wanting to take in the airport’s spectacular views.”
It comes after the opening of the new reinforced Taxiway Foxtrot in December.
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