Sydney Airport has delivered its strongest first quarter for international travel in the airport’s history, with 4.57 million international passengers coming through its terminals in Q1 2026, representing 5.8 per cent growth year-on-year.
International performance drove a 3.6 per cent increase in total passenger numbers compared with Q1 2025, with 10.78 million passengers travelling through Sydney Airport during the quarter.
Domestic passenger numbers rose 2.1 per cent compared with Q1 2025, with 6.20 million passengers travelling through the T2 and T3 terminals.
New Zealand and China were Sydney Airport’s largest international markets during the quarter, with passenger volumes increasing by 13.5 per cent and 14 per cent respectively compared with Q1 2025. Travel to and from Hong Kong also recorded strong growth, up 21.4 per cent.
The Asia‑Pacific continued to account for much of the overall increase in international traffic.
Passenger volumes on services to and from Kuala Lumpur increased by 32.3 per cent, while services to and from Guangzhou recorded growth of 38.5 per cent.
Travel through Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul also increased by 21.4 per cent, 7.6 per cent and 5.7 per cent respectively.
Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said: “This quarter’s record international growth is a great outcome, particularly given the disruption in the Middle East, where many airlines have faced significant operational impacts since late February.
“This performance reflects resilient demand for travel to and from Sydney and reinforces Sydney Airport’s role as the nation’s primary international gateway.
“As we move into Q2, we are seeing airlines adjust their networks in response to geopolitical developments and the fuel environment, with a focus on routing changes rather than any wholesale shift in demand.
“Where capacity changes have occurred, they have been tactical and short term, largely focused on more marginal routes, and we continue to watch for any evidence of a longer-term or structural shift in international or domestic seat capacity. If this occurs, our experience navigating previous global shocks means we are well positioned to respond.
“From a fuel perspective, the outlook remains stable and consistent with Government guidance. There are no current indications of fuel supply constraints impacting airline planning or near-term operations at Sydney Airport.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely. Everything we have seen so far suggests the aviation market continues to demonstrate adaptability and Sydney Airport is well positioned to support growth as conditions evolve.”
Strong demand for Western Sydney flights
Last week, Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) CEO Simon Hickey told the Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney event there had been strong demand for the first flights to the airport.
Singapore Airlines daily flights begin on 23 November and Air New Zealand’s three weekly flights begin on 26 October.
“Singapore is saying they’re pretty much sold out in the first couple of months,” he said. “They’re telling us they’re nearly through their inventory.”
Mr Hickey said business travellers in particular were seeing the advantage of a 24-hour airport that allowed for later departures.
“Singapore has got a really good timeslot. Their 11.55pm departure to Singapore means you go overnight so you can work all day in Sydney, have dinner, fly to Singapore and work all day,” he said.
On 26 April 2026, Australia’s newest international gateway hosted more than 20,000 runners and walkers from across the country for a unique Runway Run/Walk in support of Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation (SCHF).
Runway Run/Walk transformed the aviation setting into a landmark national event, with the 3.7km runway loop offering multiple distances, including Half Marathon, 14km, 7km and 4km events.
More than $100,000 was raised during the one-off event. Once aviation operations commence at the airport, this level of community access will no longer be possible because it will be a 24/7 international airport.
