Perth Airport sets new annual passenger traffic record

By Andrew Curran.

Passenger movements through Perth Airport (PER) rose 5.2% in the 12 months to June 30, 2026, setting a new annual record. According to Australia's fourth-busiest airport, 18,387,992 passengers passed through its terminals during the period.

Perth Airport categorises its passenger traffic into three segments: international, interstate, and regional, with the latter including both scheduled intrastate services and fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) charter flights.

International passenger numbers increased 8.1% to 5.55 million, while interstate traffic rose 1.9% to 6.22 million. Regional passenger numbers climbed 6.0% to 6.6 million.

“Every new direct air service strengthens connectivity, bringing more visitors, business activity and investment into Western Australia,” said Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters.

New flights, better frequencies, boost international passenger numbers

Twenty international airlines serve Perth Airport, including 11 Asia-based carriers, providing links to 21 international destinations. The airport says it has continued to strengthen its international network, with new and expanded services improving connections across Asia, Africa and New Zealand.

Key international upgrades over the 12-month period included China Southern moving to year-round Guangzhou (CAN) services, Qantas launching flights to Johannesburg (JNB) and Auckland (AKL), ANA increasing its Tokyo Narita (NRT) services to daily during the northern winter season, and Jetstar launching A321-200NX services to Manila (MNL).

TransNusa also increased its Denpasar (DPS) services to twice daily, while additional frequencies from Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Air New Zealand and Philippine Airlines added further capacity and choice.

Interstate domestic traffic grows – but at a slower rate

Domestically, Qantas' new services to Newcastle and Hobart further expanded Perth's direct interstate network.

Australian Government data shows Perth Airport sits at one end of two of Australia's ten busiest domestic routes. The Melbourne (MEL) - Perth city pair grew 3.2% in the 12 months to April 30, 2026, with 2,113,100 passengers travelling on the route. The Sydney (SYD) - Perth city pair, ranked Australia's ninth-busiest domestic route, also grew 3.2% over the same period, carrying 1,742,400 passengers.

Perth Airport is connected to 29 domestic airports by regular passenger transport services, 19 of which are within Western Australia.

FIFO flying underpins Perth Airport

Perth's strong intrastate and fly-in, fly-out market remains one of the airport's defining characteristics. Big distances between Perth and regional Western Australia, combined with the state's large mining and resources sector, underpin this demand. Queensland is the only other Australian state with a similarly dispersed population and significant mining industry, and it too supports an extensive intrastate aviation network.

Qantas, Virgin Australia, Nexus Airlines, Alliance Airlines, Airnorth, National Jet Express, Aerlink and Skippers Aviation all operate FIFO services to and from Perth, transporting workers to mining and resource projects across the state.

While FIFO schedules vary according to operational requirements and contractual arrangements, Perth Airport typically handles more than 350 fly-in-fly-out departures each week, accounting for around 25% of its total passenger traffic.

A small number of services operated by airlines such as Skippers Aviation, Alliance Airlines and Nexus Airlines combine mining charter operations with regular passenger transport. Under these arrangements, airlines are permitted to sell spare seats to the public after meeting the travel requirements of their mining company clients.

“These strong passenger numbers reinforce the importance of our ambitious redevelopment program as we prepare for continued growth over the coming years,” Waters said.

A multi-billion-dollar investment programme is set to transform Perth Airport's passenger and aircraft infrastructure. Major projects include an expanded international terminal, new terminal facilities, a new parallel runway, and additional aprons and taxiways.

Waters said the redevelopment would create a more efficient airport, improve the passenger experience, and deliver significant economic benefits for Western Australia.

Photo: Perth Airport.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com