Townsville Airport has ended the financial year on a high facilitating more than 153,000 passengers for the month of June – a new passenger record for June.

Townsville Airport General Manager Brendan Cook said the airport’s record month was a result of new route uptake and significant events driving visitation to the region.

“We saw more than 77,000 passengers arrive in Townsville this June – around 6,300 more arrivals than the same period last year,” Mr Cook said.

“Since Bonza commenced services out of Townsville Airport earlier this year, more than 31,000 passengers have travelled on the new Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Rockhampton services.

“We know that cost-of-living pressures are impacting people’s spending decisions, so we applaud Bonza for their commitment to the region and for providing locals and visitors with more accessible air travel through low-cost fares.”

“Key sporting events including the Ampol Women’s State of Origin and the Junior State Age netball competition also contributed to the record June numbers.”

Townsville’s Brisbane connection remains the airport’s busiest route, making up about 50 per cent of total passengers, including international passengers that arrive through connecting services from Brisbane.

More than 796,000 passengers have travelled through Townsville Airport since January.

Townsville Airport’s previous June record was set in 2012when around 144,000 passengers passed through the terminal.  

Townsville Airport’s parent company,Queensland Airports Limited, recorded its busiest June on record with the groupwelcoming more than 658,000 passengers through its four ports (Gold Coast,Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach).