Harper Sercombe
More than 1.6 million people are expected through the terminals at Melbourne Airport over the coming weeks as Victorians make the most of the June school holidays.
The next three Fridays are shaping as the busiest travel days of the holiday period, with more than 105,000 travellers expected on each.
Melbourne Airport chief of aviation Jim Parashos said the holiday forecast is an encouraging sign for the industry.
“Melbourne Airport is approaching 100 per cent of pre-COVID capacity and with that comes busy periods and holiday rushes, which is all part of life and it’s great to have it back,” he said.
“In the last few months we’ve welcomed new carriers, new routes and new staff to Melbourne Airport, and we are now shifting our focus as a business from recovering to growing.”
Overall, more than 1.1 million people will be travelling through Melbourne on domestic flights across the 17 days from June 23, while the international terminal is expected to process more than half a million international passengers.
“We would ask travellers to plan ahead and arrive one to two hours before a domestic flight and two to three hours before an international flight, but no earlier because check-in for your flight may not be available,” Mr Parashos said.
“As always we would ask for the public’s patience throughout these periods, because while it’s a wonderful time it can also be stressful, but rest assured our customer service staff and volunteers will be there to help.”
Popular overseas destinations include European transit hubs Singapore and Dubai, along with traditional favourites Bali and New Zealand, while the top five domestic destinations are Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth.
