Brisbane Airport

International airport serving Brisbane, Queensland, Australia For the suburb of the same name where this airport is situated, see Brisbane Airport (suburb). For the airport formerly known as Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, see Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport. Brisbane AirportBrisbane Airport in 2016, with runway 01L/19R under constructionIATA: BNEICAO: YBBNWMO: 94578SummaryAirport typePublicOwner/OperatorBrisbane Airport CorporationServesSouth East QueenslandLocationBrisbane Airport, Queensland, AustraliaOpened19 March 1988&#59; 38 years ago (1988-03-19)Hub forASL Airlines AustraliaQantasVirgin AustraliaOperating base forAlliance AirlinesJetstarRex AirlinesRoyal Flying Doctor ServiceElevation AMSL15 ft / 5 mCoordinates27°23′00″S 153°07′06″E / 27.38333°S 153.11833°E / -27.38333; 153.11833Websitewww.bne.com.auMapInteractive map of Brisbane AirportRunways Direction Length Surface m ft 01L/19R 3,300 10,827 Asphalt 01R/19L 3,560 11,680 Asphalt Statistics (2024)Passengers22,234,133Aircraft movements218,010Economic impact (2012)A$7.3 billionSources: AIP, the Australian Government and Airservices Australia. Brisbane Airport (IATA: BNE, ICAO: YBBN) is an international airport serving Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The airport services 31 airlines flying to 50 domestic and 29 international destinations, amounting to over 23 million passengers who travelled through the airport in 2024. In 2016, it was named as the fifth-best performing airport in the world for on-time performance, with 87% of arrivals and departures occurring within 15 minutes of their scheduled times. It covers an area of 2,700 hectares (6,700 acres), making the airport one of the largest by land area in Australia. Brisbane Airport is a hub for both Qantas and Virgin Australia as well as an operating base for numerous airlines including Jetstar, having the third highest number of domestic connections in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne, followed by Adelaide. It is also home to line-maintenance facilities for Qantas' Airbus A330 and Boeing 737 fleet, Virgin Australia's Boeing 737 fleet, as well as Alliance Airlines, and QantasLink. The airport has dedicated, domestic, international, cargo, and general aviation terminals, as well as two runways. There are several operators of emergency medical retrieval and rescue services based at the airport including LifeFlight Australia and AVCAIR, the Royal Flying Doctor Service also has one of its nine Queensland bases at Brisbane Airport. Defunct airlines JetGo and Tigerair Australia also operated from Brisbane Airport until their demises in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

[edit] Eagle Farm Airport[edit] Main article: Eagle Farm Airport Brisbane's first airport was Eagle Farm Airport that was built in 1925 on former agricultural land in the suburb of Eagle Farm located 6 km (3.7 mi) north-east of the Brisbane central business district, 5 km (3.1 mi) south-west of Brisbane Airport's Domestic Terminal. Although Qantas started operations there in 1926, most of the flights in Brisbane operated at the Archerfield Airport, which contained a superior landing surface. While in operation, Charles Kingsford Smith landed at Eagle Farm on 9 June 1928, after completing the first trans-pacific flight in his Fokker F.VII, the Southern Cross. There is now a museum containing the original aircraft, along with a memorial located within the Brisbane Airport precinct.[citation needed] During World War II, Brisbane was the headquarters of the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the South West Pacific Area, General Douglas MacArthur. The United States Armed Forces upgraded the airfield (Eagle Farm Airport) to cater for military flights, bringing it to such a standard that it became the main civilian airport for the city. By the 1960s, the facilities at Eagle Farm Airport were inadequate for a city of Brisbane's size and anticipated growth. Many long-haul international services to Asia were required to make an en route stop (e.g., at Darwin), disadvantaging the city to lure prospective carriers and business opportunities.[citation needed] Some of the infrastructure at Eagle Farm Airport was incorporated into today's Brisbane Airport. For example, the north-east end of the main runway (04/22) survives as taxiway Papa of the present airport, while the Eagle Farm international terminal is now the Brisbane Airport cargo terminal. The final flight from the Eagle Farm Airport departed on 20 March 1988. Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm, first trans-Pacific flight, June 1928 The Kingsford Smith Memorial, housing the Southern Cross 1988 opening[edit] The Federal Government announced the construction of Brisbane Airport to be built immediately north east of Eagle Farm Airport. Construction commenced in June 1980. The new airport was built by Barclay Brothers at a cost of $400 million and opened on 19 March 1988, with a new domestic terminal and two runways. The opening was hosted by Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The new airport was built on the former Brisbane residential suburb of Cribb Island that was demolished to make way for the airport. Large amounts of sand were pumped from nearby Moreton Bay to raise the swamp land above the tidal range.[citation needed] The 1988 facilities included: a domestic terminal; state-of-the-art maintenance facilities; freight apron at the existing passenger terminal; two runways (3,500 m (11,483 ft) and 1,700 m (5,577 ft) ) with parallel taxiway systems (cater for Code F+ aircraft); access roads; parking facilities and a 75 m (246 ft) tall air traffic control tower.[citation needed] In September 1995, the international terminal was inaugurated by Prime Minister Paul Keating, and it has been expanded since that time. Privatisation[edit] In 1997, as part of the privatisation of numerous Australian airports, the airport was acquired for $1.4 billion from the Federal Airports Corporation by Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) under a 50-year lease (with an option to renew for a further 49 years). The original BAC shareholders were Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Brisbane City Council, Commonwealth Bank and Port of Brisbane Corporation. Since that time, BAC has assumed ultimate responsibility for the operations of Brisbane Airport including all airport infrastructure investment with no government funding. As at January 2024, the major shareholders were Queensland Investment Corporation (29%), Igneo Infrastructure Partners (27%), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (20%) and IFM Investors (20%). Brisbane Airport is categorised as a Leased Federal Airport. New parallel runway[edit] The painting of 01L on the new Brisbane Airport parallel runway On 18 September 2007, the federal government granted approval for the construction of a new parallel runway. The proposed $1.3 billion, 3,300 m (10,800 ft) runway was expected to take approximately eight years to construct and was constructed on swamp land 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the existing terminal area and parallel to the existing main runway. The long construction period was due to the settling period of the 13,000,000 cubic metres (459,090,667 cu ft) of sand fill dredged from Moreton Bay. In early December 2014 the delivery of 11,000,000 cubic metres (388,461,334 cu ft) of sand to the site was completed. In 2019, asphalting of the second runway had begun and was completed by late 2019, while mid February 2020 saw the start of the line-marking of the runway. The runway was completed on 30 April 2020 after over eight years of construction at a cost of over $1 billion. It opened officially on 12 July 2020 with a Virgin Australia flight to Cairns being the first to take off from the new runway.[citation needed] On 30 March 2020, runway 14/32 was decommissioned early as part of Brisbane's new runway 'Operational Readiness & Testing' phase so that the newly decommissioned cross runway could be used for aircraft parking. In May 2020, construction of a new runway was completed. Its first flight was operated by Virgin Australia, flight VA781 to Cairns, on 12 July 2020.

[edit] Brisbane Airport has two passenger terminals. International terminal[edit] The international terminal was built in 1995 and has 14 bays with aerobridges, four of these are capable of handling A380s. There are also four layover bays. The terminal has four levels: level 1 houses most airline offices and baggage handlers, level 2 handles arrivals, level 3 houses the departure lounge (airside) and other offices (landside), and level 4 houses departure check-in.[citation needed] The airport contains an Emirates lounge, the first outside Dubai that has direct access to the A380 aerobridges, and also has Air New Zealand, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Aspire and Plaza Premium lounges.[citation needed] There is also a five-storey long term carpark and a smaller short term carpark in close proximity to the terminal. The international terminal redevelopment began in February 2014. The $45 million redevelopment is designed by Brisbane architectural practices Richards and Spence and Arkhefield. Queensland artists, Sebastian Moody and Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori, were commissioned for the artworks. The front of the Brisbane International terminal International terminal departures level International Terminal arrivals level Domestic terminal[edit] Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal is a two-storey curved building with three complete satellite arms extending beyond the building providing additional passenger lounge and gate facilities for airlines. The domestic terminal has three distinct areas serving Qantas and QantasLink at the northern end of the building and Virgin Australia at the southern end of the building with other carriers such as Jetstar located in the central area of the terminal. The Qantas concourse has nine bays served by aerobridges including one served by a dual bridge. It has three lounges – The Qantas Club, Business Class and Chairman's Lounge. Virgin Australia occupies what was the former Ansett Australia end of the terminal. Its concourse has 11 parking bays, nine of which are served by aerobridges including two served by a dual bridge. It has two lounges – the Virgin Australia Lounge which is located in the former Golden Wing Club opposite Gate 41 and the Beyond Lounge. Remote bays are located to the north and south of the building (serving non-jet aircraft), and in the central area (serving jet aircraft). On 27 February 2014, Qantas announced it had disposed of its long-term lease (signed in 1987) at the domestic terminal which was due to expire on 30 December 2018. Under the new arrangements, Qantas retains exclusive use and operational control over much of the northern end of the terminal until the end of 2018 while securing rights to key infrastructure beyond this period. Front of the northern side of the domestic terminal Front of the southern side of the domestic terminal Domestic terminal interior Future third terminal[edit] As early as November 2022, the size, location, and design of Terminal 3 was under discussion, which would be situated between the two runways. This was also included in the Brisbane Airport Master Plan 2020. As of September 2024, plans had begun for a terminal three development. The third terminal will reportedly service both domestic and international flights. It is projected to be opened by the 2030s to accommodate the future demands of population growth. AVCAIR FBO & VIP Lounge and Brisbane Jet Base[edit] Brisbane has two FBO Lounge and Operation Facilities, located on the North Apron (Brisbane Jet Base) and South Logistics Apron (AVCAIR FBO) of Brisbane Airport. The AVCAIR facility handles VIP and FIFO (fly-in fly-out) movements including Ad hoc Military, Medical and Charter flights and offers direct airside access for VIP movements.

[edit] Passenger[edit] AirlinesDestinations Air Canada Vancouver Air New Zealand Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington Seasonal: Queenstown (resumes 22 June 2026) Air Niugini Port Moresby Aircalin Nouméa Alliance Airlines Moranbah, Weipa Charter: Ballera, Cloncurry, Emerald, Mackay, Moomba, Mount Isa, Rockhampton, Roma, Sunshine Coast, The Granites American Airlines Seasonal: Dallas/Fort Worth Batik Air Malaysia Denpasar, Kuala Lumpur–International Cathay Pacific Hong Kong China Airlines Auckland, Taipei–Taoyuan China Eastern Airlines Shanghai–Pudong China Southern Airlines Guangzhou Delta Air Lines Seasonal: Los Angeles Emirates Dubai–International EVA Air Taipei–Taoyuan Fiji Airways Nadi FlyPelican Charter: Narrabri[citation needed] Jetstar Adelaide, Auckland, Avalon, Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Denpasar, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Osaka–Kansai, Perth, Proserpine, Rarotonga, Seoul–Incheon, Sydney–Kingsford Smith, Sydney–Western (begins 25 October 2026), Tokyo–Narita, Townsville Seasonal: Cebu, Queenstown (begins 15 June 2026) Korean Air Seoul–Incheon Link Airways Armidale, Biloela/Thangool, Bundaberg, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Inverell, Narrabri, Orange, Tamworth Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International National Jet Express Charter: Emerald, Moranbah, Orange, Rockhampton Nauru Airlines Koror, Majuro, Nauru, Pohnpei, Tarawa Philippine Airlines Manila Qantas Apia–Faleolo, Auckland, Cairns, Christchurch, Darwin, Koror, Los Angeles, Mackay, Manila, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Norfolk Island, Perth, Port Moresby, Port Vila, Queenstown, Singapore, Sydney–Kingsford Smith, Tokyo–Narita, Townsville, Wellington QantasLink Adelaide, Albury, Alice Springs, Barcaldine, Blackall, Bundaberg, Cairns, Canberra, Emerald, Gladstone, Hamilton Island, Hervey Bay, Hobart, Honiara, Longreach, Mackay, Melbourne, Miles, Moranbah, Mount Isa, Newcastle, Nouméa, Port Macquarie, Rockhampton, Sydney–Western (begins 28 March 2027), Townsville, Wagga Wagga, Wellington Seasonal: LauncestonCharter: Gove[citation needed] Qatar Airways Doha Rex Airlines Bedourie, Birdsville, Boulia, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Mount Isa, Quilpie, Roma, St George, Thargomindah, Toowoomba, Windorah Singapore Airlines Singapore Skytrans Australia Charter: Kens Bore, Wodgina Solomon Airlines Auckland, Honiara, Luganville, Munda, United Airlines San Francisco VietJet Air Ho Chi Minh City Virgin Australia Adelaide, Apia–Faleolo (ends 25 August), Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Denpasar, Doha, Emerald, Gladstone, Hamilton Island, Hobart, Launceston, Mackay, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Nadi, Newcastle, Perth, Port Vila, Proserpine, Queenstown, Rockhampton, Sydney–Kingsford Smith, Townsville Seasonal: Alice Springs (ends 14 July 2026), Ayers Rock (ends 24 October 2026) Charter: Boolgeeda, West Angelas Qantas operates dedicated 'flightseeing' services over Antarctica from Brisbane, with Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Departing Brisbane from the Domestic Terminal and providing a guided aerial tour of Antarctica before returning to Australia, these flights are about thirteen hours in total. Cargo[edit] AirlinesDestinations Astral Aviation Hong Kong Cathay Cargo Hong Kong Nauru Airlines Honiara, Nauru Qantas Freight Cairns, Melbourne, Townsville Team Global Express Adelaide, Biloela/Thangool, Mackay, Melbourne, Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney–Kingsford Smith, Sydney–Bankstown, Townsville Terra Avia Hong Kong

[edit] Control tower Brisbane Airport's annual passenger numbers were 23.1 million in 2017. This is expected to grow to around 50 million by 2035. Total annual passengers[edit] PassengersYear05,000,00010,000,00015,000,00020,000,00025,000,000198019902000201020202030PassengersAnnual passenger traffic Annual passenger statistics for Brisbane Airport Year Domestic International Total Change 1986 3,018,951 576,663 3,595,614 8.4% 1987 3,271,701 697,453 3,969,154 10.4% 1988 3,941,211 958,795 4,900,006 23.5% 1989 2,905,041 946,067 3,851,108 –21.4% 1990 3,766,974 1,062,737 4,829,711 25.4% 1991 5,013,256 1,202,170 6,215,426 28.7% 1992 5,225,948 1,312,949 6,538,887 5.2% 1993 5,611,900 1,542,211 7,154,111 9.4% 1994 6,385,682 1,686,327 8,071,739 12.8% 1995 6,924,291 1,965,327 8,889,618 10.1% 1996 7,375,444 2,192,110 9,567,544 7.6% 1997 7,470,083 2,294,900 9,764,983 2.1% 1998 7,438,341 2,251,240 9,689,581 –0.8% 1999 7,833,436 2,375,767 10,209,203 5.4% 2000 8,810,670 2,461,378 11,272,048 10.4% 2001 9,946,073 2,547,720 12,493,793 10.8% 2002 9,163,520 2,493,082 11,656,602 –6.7% 2003 10,105,366 2,549,444 12,654,810 8.6% 2004 11,519,422 3,266,481 14,785,903 16.8% 2005 12,102,609 3,606,690 15,709,299 6.2% 2006 12,942,735 3,763,314 16,706,049 6.3% 2007 13,972,336 3,921,752 17,894,088 7.1% 2008 14,547,537 4,035,790 18,583,327 3.9% 2009 14,595,924 4,117,171 18,713,095 0.7% 2010 15,338,191 4,282,257 19,620,448 4.8% 2011 15,888,983 4,444,867 20,333,850 3.6% 2012 16,601,349 4,471,413 21,072,762 3.6% 2013 16,775,697 4,669,141 21,444,838 1.8% 2014 16,982,836 4,964,981 21,947,817 2.3% 2015 16,786,974 5,238,522 22,025,496 0.4% 2016 17,055,852 5,449,744 22,505,596 2.2% 2017 17,219,926 5,729,341 22,949,267 2.0% 2018 17,354,529 6,112,234 23,466,763 2.3% 2019 17,580,142 6,425,564 24,005,706 2.3% 2020 6,386,797 1,388,291 7,775,088 –67.6% 2021 7,658,654 247,999 7,906,653 1.7% 2022 14,374,443 2,531,254 16,905,697 113.8% 2023 16,343,097 4,845,468 21,188,565 25.3% 2024 17,106,783 6,146,538 23,253,321 9.7% Domestic[edit] Busiest domestic routes – Brisbane Airport (year ending 31 December 2022) Rank Airport Passengers % change 1 Sydney 3,594,184 228.8% 2 Melbourne 2,806,475 256.4% 3 Cairns 1,136,610 12.3% 4 Townsville 818,348 18.8% 5 Perth 737,276 156.7% 6 Adelaide 713,245 58.0% 7 Mackay 698,398 30.2% 8 Canberra 593,364 102.7% 9 Newcastle 450,206 112.0% 10 Rockhampton 443,074 22.6% 11 Darwin 328,808 26.2% 12 Proserpine 293,453 20.2% 13 Hobart 291,200 13.1% 14 Gladstone 193,074 37.8% 15 Hamilton Island 174,989 -14.7% International[edit] Busiest international routes – Brisbane Airport (year ending 30 June 2025) Rank Airport Passengers % change Airlines 1 Auckland 927,261 8.1% Air New Zealand, China Airlines, Jetstar, Qantas 2 Singapore 926,569 12.0% Qantas, Singapore Airlines 3 Dubai 501,406 2.2% Emirates 4 Denpasar 459,540 9.4% Batik Air Malaysia, Jetstar, Virgin Australia 5 Tokyo-Narita 368,208 43.1% Jetstar, Qantas 6 Nadi 257,277 2.7% Fiji Airways, Virgin Australia 7 Hong Kong 251,939 63.9% Cathay Pacific 8 Doha 239,617 1.8% Qatar Airways 9 Christchurch 206,207 6.7% Air New Zealand, Qantas 10 Taipei 194,019 2.5% China Airlines, EVA Air 11 Wellington 180,303 24.3% Air New Zealand, QantasLink 12 Seoul 179,513 12.1% Jetstar, Korean Air 13 Port Moresby 167,348 0.4% Air Niugini, Qantas 14 Guangzhou 166,999 90.5% China Southern Airlines 15 Queenstown 158,054 10.3% Qantas, Virgin Australia

[edit] Road[edit] Brisbane Airport has four car-parks, all operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are two multi-level undercover car parks, the international, providing short and long term services, and the domestic also provides long and short term parking. Qantas and Virgin Australia also offer valet parking at the domestic terminal only. Total car spaces number 9,000. Upgrades[edit] In 2009, to help relieve congestion between Brisbane CBD and the airport, the BrisConnections consortium was formed between Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council, and a Thiess/John Holland/Macquarie Bank to build the Airport Link road project. It included the longest tunnel in Australia at the time of construction (over 8 km (5.0 mi); 6 lanes) from the interchange between the Inner City Bypass and Clem Jones Tunnel (the 2nd longest tunnel in Australia when the Airport Link opened) to the Airport Flyover over an improved Southern Cross Way Overpass which leads on to Airport Drive, cutting 16 sets of traffic lights. It was completed in mid-2012. The Northern Access Road project, completed in December 2009, significantly reduces traffic congestion on Airport Drive. Moreton Drive, the 5 km (3.1 mi), multi-lane road network, linking Gateway Motorway with the airport terminals, provides airport users with a second major access route to terminals and on-airport businesses. Public transport[edit] Rail[edit] The Airport line travels direct from each terminal to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The airport has two railway stations as part of a privately owned airport rail line. The International Airport railway station is elevated and located next to the international terminal, as is the Domestic Airport railway station. Both stations are privately owned and operated by the Airtrain Citylink consortium. As a result, fares are more expensive than a regular suburban ticket, though less than half the taxi fare. The Airtrain Citylink travels via the Queensland Rail network to Fortitude Valley and the Brisbane CBD, with most trains continuing to the Gold Coast via South Bank. Bus[edit] There is a free inter-terminal bus connecting the two terminals and the nearby Skygate shopping precinct, DFO and adjacent Novotel Brisbane Airport hotel. From the Skygate shopping precinct, Translink bus route 590 connects to the rest of Brisbane's public transport system. Cycling and walking[edit] Brisbane Airport has cycling and pedestrian connections connecting to the Moreton Bay Bikeway network.

[edit] New parallel runway under construction with domestic terminal road approaches in foreground Brisbane Centre[edit] The Brisbane FIR consists of New South Wales north of Sydney, all of Queensland, most of the Northern Territory and the northern half of Western Australia. It also contains the Australian Tasman Sea airspace. Brisbane Centre is located adjacent to Brisbane Tower at Brisbane Airport. It also contains Brisbane Approach. Due to the nature of the airspace it controls, most international flights in and out of Australia (except Indian Ocean flights) come under the Brisbane FIR's jurisdiction, as well as domestic flights operating to and from airports within the zone. From Brisbane Centre, Airservices Australia manages the airspace over the northern half of Australia, representing 5 per cent of the world's total airspace. As only two of eight capitals are located in the Brisbane FIR, it handles a lesser volume of traffic than Melbourne Centre. However, Sydney is on the border of the two FIRs, and thus Brisbane Centre has control of flights arriving or departing in Sydney from the North.

[edit] Traditional owners of Brisbane region have been recognised and acknowledged at Brisbane Airport. Brisbane Airport has won a number of awards, including being rated as Australia's No. 1 airport for quality of service 10 years in a row (2005–2014 inclusive) in a survey by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, and being ranked as 3rd Best Airport in the world (for airports servicing between 20 and 30 million passengers per year). In 2015, it was reported as the fourth-best medium-sized airport for on-time arrivals and departures. The international terminal won the Queensland architecture award. In 2005 Brisbane Airport was awarded the IATA Eagle Award, the second of only two Australian airports to receive such an award.

[edit] On 15 February 2012, a Toll Aviation Fairchild Metro III freighter came to rest on its fuselage at about 2:30 am. Neither of the two pilots were injured. The landing gear on the light plane failed to go down during testing after maintenance. On 18 July 2018, a Malaysian Airlines Airbus A330 took off from Brisbane with pitot tube covers still in place, resulting in unreliable airspeed indications and the aircraft diverting back to Brisbane. Airport ground staff had placed covers on the pitot tubes to prevent mud wasps nesting in them (a common hazard at Brisbane Airport), and the pilots, engineers and ground staff failed to check the covers were removed prior to departure. On 1 July 2022, an Emirates Airbus A380 performing Flight 430 from Dubai landed at Brisbane Airport with a hole on the left side of its fuselage. A missing bolt and cap was found on the aircraft's nose landing gear after it parked. Damage allegedly occurred on takeoff and the pilots reported a blown tire before landing, but investigation is ongoing.

[edit] Julieanne Alroe, chief executive officer of Brisbane Airport Corporation July 2009 – June 2018