International passenger numbers at Cairns Airport are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, positioning 2025 as a bumper year with Cathay Pacific’s return just around the corner, the launch of a new domestic service this week and further historic airline arrivals in the pipeline.

Jetstar yesterday operated its first ever direct flight from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast, connecting two of Queensland’s most sought-after destinations in a welcome development for regional travellers who frequented the popular route under Bonza.

Cathay Pacific will commence its highly anticipated seasonal service on December 17, extending through to March 29. This will be followed by commencement of Cairns’ first direct fight to Christchurch with Jetstar on April 1, and Fiji Airways’ inaugural service from April 10.

This year Cairns welcomed Singapore Airlines’ widebody A350 services.

It comes amid significant commercial developments at Cairns Airport, aimed at enhancing customers’ experience leading into the festive season and beyond. A series of new stores and services have opened in the domestic terminal, including:

• AMUSE Beauty Studio, offering a raft of globally recognised makeup, skincare and fragrance brands
• The Edit, a boutique experience featuring clothing, footwear and jewellery
• New Travelex store, expanding options for currency exchange and travel cards (below)

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  Travelex staff celebrate the new store, expanding options for currency exchange and travel cards.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said the airport was ready for a busy holiday season, closing out a successful year with more milestones on the horizon.

“In 2024, we welcomed Singapore Airlines’ widebody A350 services and AirAsia Indonesia began flying to Cairns Airport for the first time. International passenger numbers are consistently tracking above 2019 levels, with more than 12,000 travellers passing through our international terminal on average each week,” he said.

“Cathay Pacific’s return in a couple of weeks will deliver almost 27,000 seats across the season, offering ideal connectivity for the thousands of visitors expected to celebrate Chinese New Year in Tropical North Queensland, and it is fantastic to have Jetstar operating a direct route from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast up to four times per week, ahead of the Christmas holidays.”

Retail has also been expanded.

Barker said additional team members would be deployed to assist with security screening processes at peak times during the holiday travel period.

“Over the three weeks leading into Christmas, we expect more than 270,000 passengers to travel through Cairns Airport,” he said.

“If you’re planning to leave your vehicle at Cairns Airport, we recommend that you consider pre-booking parking online. Our new stores will also help to take the stress out of pre-Christmas travel, with a variety of quality products and brands perfect for gifting.

“I would like to thank our community for their patience and understanding at this exciting and busy time of year. Together with the team at Cairns Airport, we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable festive break.”

The Cairns Airport Making Christmas a Little Brighter campaign is in full swing, with nominations open until 5pm on Friday 6 December. Aimed at supporting lesser-known local charities, not-for-profit organisations and grassroots sporting clubs, Cairns Airport will give five deserving groups $5000 each ahead of Christmas.

Officials at the Cathay announcement for Cairns Airport in May.

Cairns Airport was named Major Airport of the Year 2024 at the Australian Airports Association (AAA) National Airport Industry Awards, and Airport of the Year at the Australian Aviation Awards, both for the second consecutive year. The award submissions highlighted the efforts of the Cairns Airport team to rapidly reopen the aerodrome in the wake of the unprecedented December 2023 flood, the worst recorded since 1910.

In 2024, Cairns Airport commenced work on the $60 million Eastern Aviation Precinct. The precinct will provide much-needed new facilities for local operators, including aeromedical services, aircraft maintenance resources and training.

Property developers MiHaven are building an accommodation precinct at Cairns Airport. The first stage, due for completion within two years, will include construction of 183 self-contained units, as well as conference spaces, a café and two swimming pools.

In 2025, through an agreement with CleanCo Queensland, Cairns Airport will achieve Net Zero emissions (for Scope 1 and 2). This means 100 per cent of the airport’s electricity, and that of tenants, will be powered by renewable energy.

The airconditioned glass aerobridge at Cairns Airport.

By the numbers

• From Tuesday 3 December, Jetstar will operate up to four flights per week to the Sunshine Coast.
• Cathay Pacific’s seasonal service will commence on Tuesday 17 December, through until Saturday 29 March.
• Jetstar’s direct Christchurch route commences on Tuesday 1 April, operating three times per week.
• Fiji Airways will fly to Cairns three times per week from Thursday 10 April.