Airport smashes annual passenger record

Our award-winning Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) has stamped itself as one of the fastest growing  regional airports in Australia with the highest annual passenger numbers in its 71-year history. 

A record 477,328 passengers passed through the airport in the 2022-23 financial year which was higher the previous record of 469,000 set in 2018-19. 

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said the record numbers were testament to the amazing  efforts of the airport team, our partner airlines, and the broader Whitsunday community, who have  collaboratively worked to enhance the travel experience and showcase the unique offerings of our region. 

“Our airport just continues to smash records, and this can be attributed to a variety of factors, including  increased flight frequencies, expanded routes, and strategic partnerships with airlines,” she said. 

“None of this happens without our airport team establishing strong relationships with multiple airlines. 

“These relationships have allowed us to deliver a fast-expanding network of destinations that make  connectivity easy for travellers to visit the amazing Whitsundays. 

“It is great to celebrate this milestone, but the airport team also recognises the ongoing responsibility we  have to continue to invest in infrastructure that ensures WCA remains an award-winning regional airport with a reputation for providing excellent facilities, services, and connectivity for both leisure and business  travellers,” Mayor Hall said. 

Whitsunday Coast Airport currently boasts direct flights to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Sunshine Coast,  Cairns, Newcastle and Toowoomba but Chief Operating Officer Craig Turner hinted two new routes will be  added before the end of 2023. 

“It is important we be proactive in taking every opportunity to explore new routes that would instantly boost  the Whitsunday region’s economy,” Turner said. 

“I am in the final stages of talks with an airline partner to commence flights direct from the Gold Coast to  Whitsundays. 

“This will be a huge breakthrough for our region as it opens a direct flight route for the 1.2 million people  who in live in the Gold Coast region including Ballina in the south to Logan in the north. 

“That is a huge catchment area that can fly to the Whitsundays direct but also provides connectivity for the  millions of international and domestic tourists who transit via the Gold Coast for their holidays.

“The good news does not stop there with my team also close to sealing a deal for a groundbreaking  interstate destination that expands our routes beyond our current east coast network,” Turner said. 

“We look forward to welcoming even more passengers in the coming years and the Whitsunday Coast  Airport playing a key role in the future growth and success of our region. 

To ensure the airport can keep pace with growth, Whitsunday Regional Council has engaged an external  expert to conduct a comprehensive review and redesign of the Whitsunday Coast Airport Master Plan. 

A six-week consultation period kicks off on Monday, July 24 via Council’s Your Say page and we want to  hear from you! 

This is your chance to provide valuable input to help shape the future of our community’s premier airport. 

Share your ideas, concerns or suggestions on the Your Say page on Council’s website or submit your feedback to Glenn Robinson at glenn.robinson@airportsupport.com.au.