Townsville Airport is bracing for an influx of southerners as cold weather sends holidaymakers north bringing more than 5,000 passengers a day expected over the next two weeks.  

 July and August are traditionally the busiest times of the year for the airport, kickstarted by the winter school holidays which commenced this week.  

 Townsville Airport General Manager Brendan Cook said services to and from Brisbane would be the busiest. 

 “Around 50 per cent of our passengers are travelling on that route, with some flights completely booked out,” he said. 

 “Last year July was our second busiest month in history – and this year over the school holiday period we’re seeing airlines adding extra capacity on the Brisbane route so the airport will be busy,” he said. 

 “We do expect with State of Origin in Melbourne tomorrow night and the women’s decider here in Townsville on Thursday night that we will see a lot of footy fans through the terminal – hopefully wearing maroon!” Mr Cook said. 

 More than 97,000 passenger seats are available on services to and from Townsville Airport over the school holidays with the busiest days expected to be Thursday and Friday before the long weekend, and the public holiday on Monday 1st of July. 

 “Our advice to travellers is to make sure you’ve booked your parking online ahead of your travel and to just allow a little bit more time to get to and through the airport terminal,” Mr Cook said. 

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