Biggest & Busiest International Airports In Australia

Last Updated on Nov 18th, 2025 by Neha Sharma, Leave a Comment

Australia is home to some of the busiest and most well-connected airports, offering both domestic and international travel options. Below are details about the largest and busiest international airports across the country, providing a comprehensive overview for those planning to travel to or from Australia.

Check Out the Table Below for Biggest, Largest, and Busiest Airports in Australia (2023)

Airport Name	Code	Location	Passenger Volume (Annually)	Area (Acres)	Details with Keywords Included
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport	SYD	Sydney, NSW	Over 40 million	2,500	Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the busiest airport in Australia, handling over 40 million travelers annually. Despite its high passenger volume, its length is a relatively smaller area of 2,500 acres.
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)	MEL	Melbourne, VIC	Over 35 million	5,700	Melbourne Airport is one of the largest airports in Australia by area, covering 5,700 acres, & ranks second as the busiest airport in Australia with over 35 million annual passengers.
Brisbane Airport	BNE	Brisbane, QLD	Over 24 million	5,000	Brisbane Airport is among the biggest airports in Australia by area & ranks as a major gateway to Queensland, serving over 24 million passengers annually.
Perth Airport	PER	Perth, WA	Over 13 million	5,252	Perth Airport is the biggest airport in Western Australia, covering 5,252 acres. It is a vital hub connecting Australia to Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Adelaide Airport	ADL	Adelaide, SA	Over 8 million	2,500	Adelaide Airport is recognized for its efficient layout & is one of the largest airports in Australia by passenger services & design excellence, handling over 8 million travelers.
Gold Coast Airport	OOL	Gold Coast, QLD	Approximately 6 million	1,000	Gold Coast Airport is smaller in area but serves as a key tourist destination. It is one of the busiest regional airports in Australia, connecting to Asia and New Zealand.
Cairns Airport	CNS	Cairns, QLD	Over 5 million	1,470	Cairns Airport, while smaller in size, focuses on tourism & is among the busiest airports in Australia for leisure travelers visiting the Great Barrier Reef.
Canberra Airport	CBR	Canberra, ACT	Around 3 million	2,350	Canberra Airport, though smaller, provides vital connections to Asia & New Zealand. It is known as one of the largest airports in Australia for strategic connectivity and efficiency.

Flying Through Australia – Here is the  List of International Airports

Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)

• History – Sydney Airport Established in 1920, it is the oldest continuously operating airport in Australia.
• ICAO Code – YSSY
• IATA Code – SYD
• Category – International
• Terminals – 3 terminals (International, Domestic, and a third for both)
• Services & Amenities – Offers free Wi-Fi, lounges, duty-free shopping, restaurants, and transport options like buses, trains, and taxis.
• Size – Approximately 3,700 hectares.
• Made In – 1920
• Airlines Served – Sydney is served by over 50 airlines, including major international and domestic carriers like Qantas, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.
• Popular Routes – Sydney to Mumbai, Sydney to Ahmedabad, Sydney to Amritsar, Sydney to Chennai.

Sydney is the busiest airport in Australia by passenger numbers, handling over 40 MILLION travelers pre-pandemic.

 Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL)

• History – Melbourne International Airport Opened in 1970, it serves as Melbourne’s primary international gateway.
• ICAO Code – YMML
• IATA Code – MEL
• Category – International
• Terminals – 4 terminals (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – Features lounges, restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and a range of shopping options.
• Size – 2,253 hectares.
• Made In – 1970
• Airlines Served – Major airlines like Qantas, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific operate here.
• Popular Routes – Melbourne to Amritsar, Melbourne to Chennai, Melbourne to Bangalore, Melbourne to Kochi.

Melbourne is another top contender in the busiest airports category, with around 37 MILLION passengers in 2018.

Brisbane International Airport (BNE)

• History – Brisbane Airport Opened in 1988, BNE is located on the east coast of Australia, serving the region’s tourist and business needs.
• ICAO Code – YBBN
• IATA Code – BNE
• Category – International
• Terminals – 2 terminals (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – Includes restaurants, shopping, lounges, free Wi-Fi, and access to public transportation like buses and trains.
• Size – 2,700 hectares.
• Made In – 1988
• Airlines Served – Over 30 airlines, including Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Singapore Airlines.
• Popular Routes – Brisbane to Delhi, Brisbane to Hyderabad. 

Brisbane ranks THIRD, serving both international and a high volume of domestic flights.

 Perth International Airport (PER)

• History – Serving as the main gateway to Western Australia, opened in 1952 and is a crucial hub for flights between Australia and Asia, as well as Europe.
• ICAO Code – YPPH
• IATA Code – PER
• Category – International
• Terminals – 3 terminals (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – Includes dining options, lounges, shopping, and airport shuttles to the city.
• Size – 2,000 hectares.
• Made In – 1952
• Airlines Served – Major carriers like Qantas, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific.
• Popular Routes – Perth to Ahmedabad, Perth to Amritsar, Perth to Chennai, Perth to Delhi, Perth to Kolkata, Perth to Mumbai.

Perth serves as a key international gateway in the west, handling over 12 MILLION passengers annually.

 Adelaide International Airport (ADL)

• History – Opened in 1954, it connects South Australia to key international destinations, though its capacity is smaller compared to Sydney or Melbourne.
• ICAO Code – YPAD
• IATA Code – ADL
• Category – International
• Terminals – 1 terminal (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – The airport provides lounges, shopping, dining, and Wi-Fi.
• Size – 185 hectares.
• Made In – 1954
• Airlines Served – Several international airlines including Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines.
• Popular Routes – Adelaide to Amritsar, Adelaide to Bangalore, Adelaide to Chennai, Adelaide to Mumbai, Adelaide to Hyderabad, Adelaide to Delhi. 

Although smaller, Adelaide plays an important role in Australia’s air travel, with an annual passenger count of 8 MILLION.

 Cairns International Airport (CNS)

• History – Opened in 1984, Cairns serves as the primary entry point for tourists heading to Australia’s tropical north.
• ICAO Code – YBCS
• IATA Code – CNS
• Category – International
• Terminals – 1 terminal (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – Offers food and shopping, free Wi-Fi, and car hire services.
• Size – 350 hectares.
• Made In – 1984
• Airlines Served – Qantas, Jetstar, and other international carriers.
• Popular Routes – Cairns to Delhi 

Cairns is popular for travelers heading to the Great Barrier Reef, handling a steady flow of international tourists.

 Gold Coast International Airport (OOL)

• History – Originally opened in 1930, it was revamped to serve as a modern international gateway by 2009.
• ICAO Code – YBCG
• IATA Code – OOL
• Category – International
• Terminals – 1 terminal (Domestic and International).
• Services & Amenities – Offers shopping, dining, and public transport services.
• Size – 1,500 hectares.
• Made In – 1930
• Airlines Served – Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and international carriers.

This airport is a key destination for tourists traveling to the Gold Coast.

Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia  Year Wise

The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides detailed insights into the movement of travelers to and from Australia, highlighting the dynamics of international travel trends over the years. Below is a table showcasing the yearly data for overseas arrivals and departures, sourced directly from the ABS website.

Category of travel	Sep 2019 (no.)	Sep 2022 (no.)	Sep 2023 (no.)	Sep 2024 (no.)	Sep 2023 to Sep 2024 change (%)
Permanent arrivals	7,520	8,690	11,850	12,160	2.6
Long-term resident returns	10,630	13,270	11,600	11,250	-3.0
Short-term resident returns	992,820	633,790	939,060	1,020,960	8.7
Long-term visitor arrivals	40,170	43,930	55,590	58,280	4.8
Short-term visitor arrivals	694,960	371,850	584,620	630,700	7.9
Total arrivals	1,746,100	1,071,520	1,602,720	1,733,340	8.1
Long-term resident departures	16,930	14,790	17,930	19,630	9.5
Short-term resident departures	1,133,100	722,220	1,062,530	1,172,430	10.3
Long-term visitor departures	18,560	28,620	22,590	27,140	20.1
Short-term visitor departures	627,950	274,920	486,460	577,350	18.7
Total departures	1,796,540	1,040,550	1,589,500	1,796,550	13.0

Conclusion

Australia’s busiest airports, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, are vital hubs in the Asia-Pacific region. They provide essential connections for travelers from the USA and around the world.

Whether you’re flying domestically or heading to international destinations, these airports offer extensive services and are equipped to handle millions of passengers annually.

Frequently Asked Questions

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