Media Releases

More than 718,200 passengers passed through Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) four airports in April 2019 – which was slightly below the year before.

The figures show growth in Townsville and Mount Isa.

Experienced business executive and non-executive Chairman and director John O’Neill AO has been appointed Chairman of the Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) board following a national search.

Mr O’Neill said it was an exciting time to join the company, which was at the beginning of a crucial delivery phase – with an extensive capital program underway.

“A significant terminal expansion is now being delivered on the Gold Coast, and project plans are being reviewed for Townsville Airport. These major projects are focused on addressing capacity issues, preparing for future growth and improving the customer experience,” he said.

“The first airport hotel is also well underway on the Gold Coast, which is an important milestone in the development of the precinct and will boost accommodation at the southern end of the city.

“About 8.5 million people are welcomed through QAL’s four airports into destinations across Queensland and northern NSW each year. These airports are the gateways to the destinations and their success is critical to the tourism industry.”

Mr O’Neill has been Chairman of The Star Entertainment Group since 2012 and has an intimate knowledge of the tourism sector and a strong connection to Queensland after years of experience working in the industry and for companies with a focus on the state.

From 1987 until 2012, Mr O’Neill held chief executive roles at The State Bank of NSW, The Australian Rugby Union and The Football Federation of Australia. He has also been a non-executive Director on other public company boards, including Tabcorp Limited.

QAL CEO Chris Mills welcomed Mr O’Neill’s appointment, saying the new Chairman was coming on board during an exciting and critical time for the company.

“I’m looking forward to working with John as we enhance the passenger experience and create more connections to our airports over the coming years,” he said.

“John’s knowledge and experience means QAL will remain in good hands as we deliver our major capital projects.”

The QAL Board recognised the contribution of Nigel Chamier, who acted as interim Chairman while a search was undertaken for a new Chairman. Mr Chamier will step down on 30 June after serving on the QAL board for more than five years.

More than 651,200 passengers passed through Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) four airports in March 2019.

This represents a 7.6 per cent downturn for the group, with fewer passengers at Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports reflective of a declining trend in passenger numbers across Australia and ongoing capacity constraints by the airlines.

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) has officially been recognised as a great place to work – with outstanding results confirming the organisation’s positive culture and progressive leadership approach.

QAL – which owns and operates Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports – has achieved accreditation from the aptly named Great Place to Work Australia (GPTW), a global research consultancy. The accreditation, gained in February 2019, followed an extensive organisational audit and employee survey.

QAL Chief Financial Officer Amelia Evans said she was thrilled the company had achieved the result in the first year of GPTW participation.

More than 579,000 passengers passed through Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) four airports in February 2019.

This represents a 4.7 per cent downturn for the group, with fewer passengers at Gold Coast, Townsville and Longreach airports reflective of a downward trend in passenger numbers across Australia and ongoing capacity constraints by the airlines. However, QAL’s fourth port, Mount Isa Airport, bucked the trend to deliver another strong month of growth during February.

More than 778,000 passengers passed through Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) four airports in January 2019 – making it the second busiest month ever for the group.

The January results are second only to those recorded in January 2018, when 794,433 passengers were processed through QAL’s four airports, which include Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach.

More than 8.4 million people passed through Queensland Airports Limited’s (QAL) four airports in 2018 – holding steady on the prior year.

This is despite reduced airline capacity, which has impacted the group’s two largest airports.

It comes after the airports – on the Gold Coast and in Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach – recorded a collective decline of 4.7 per cent in passenger numbers in December.

Queensland Airports Limited (QAL) welcomed a total of 679,952 passengers through its four ports in November, with reduced capacity in the larger ports.

The result represents a collective decline of 2.7 per cent in passenger numbers for the group, which includes the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.

QAL Chairman Annabelle Chaplain will step down at the end of February after five years leading the board during a period of record growth and development planning for the company.

Ms Chaplain has been QAL independent Chairman since January 2014.

Last year was a record year for QAL when 8.5 million passengers travelled through its four airports – Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach.

Queensland Airports Limited welcomed almost 742,300 passengers through its four ports in October, with steady growth in the regions helping to offset reduced capacity along the eastern seaboard.

The result represents a collective decline of 2.7 per cent for the group, which includes the Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports.