Bundaberg Regional Airport numbers soar

Bundaberg Regional Airport has had its best quarter in five years as passenger numbers soared well past pre-Covid figures to 43,548.

The passenger numbers, reported for the July to September quarter of 2023, are the highest experienced by the airport since 2018.

It well exceeded the target, detailed in Council’s Operational Plan, of more than 30,000 passengers per quarter.

The continued post-COVID recovery of domestic travel combined with the success of the new Bonza service direct to Melbourne were attributed as the catalysts for the increase.

Bundaberg Regional Airport’s sky-high passenger numbers even warranted a mention in the Australian Government’s domestic aviation activity report in July and August of 2023.

“Out of the top 50 regional airports, the strongest increase was recorded at Bundaberg Airport (up 75.8 per cent on August 2022),” the August domestic aviation activity report read.

Big year for Bundaberg Regional Airport

The improvement in passenger numbers caps off a highly successful year for the Bundaberg Regional Airport as it returned to normal operations after being impacted by the outbreak of COVID.

The first travellers on Bonza’s Bundaberg to Melbourne direct flights arrived in May and the airline has reported the route was performing strongly.

Bonza then announced it would open up an additional flight route, direct from Bundaberg to the Gold Coast.

And to top it all off in July, the airport toilet topped the list of most accessible toilets in the Great Dunny Hunt.

Run by The Continence Foundation of Australia, the competition showcases Australia’s best public toilets on The National Public Toilet Map, with the Bundaberg Airport restroom taking out top spot.

The competition's aim is to provide awareness on access to quality public toilets, which is a huge consideration for those living with incontinence.

Recently, the airport team was pleased to join local emergency services in a simulated exercise to improve the skills of first responders.