Melbourne Airport has renewed calls for greater Federal Government investment in border technology and infrastructure, arguing improved arrivals processing will be critical as international passenger numbers continue to grow.
More than three million passengers travelled through Melbourne Airport in April, including more than 950,000 international travellers and more than two million domestic passengers.
International passenger numbers fell 7.1 per cent year-on-year during the month, driven largely by disruptions to Middle East services linked to conflict in Iran and a significant reduction in seat capacity on routes through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.
The decline was partially offset by increased capacity from airlines including Singapore Airlines and China Southern Airlines, as well as stronger load factors on other international services.
Despite the temporary downturn, international passenger numbers remain up 3.7 per cent for the financial year to date as services progressively stabilise.
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer, Lorie Argus, said the Federal Government’s increase to the Passenger Movement Charge created an opportunity to improve border processing infrastructure.
“We’re investing $7.5 billion of private money to deliver a third runway and expand Melbourne’s international terminal to cater for growing demand and improve the experience for passengers,” Argus said.
“As we modernise our airport, we will continue partnering with the Federal Government to modernise the border and invest in technology that can deliver a faster, more seamless arrival experience for international travellers.”
Argus said international passenger numbers at Melbourne Airport had doubled over the past decade, while border processing infrastructure had not kept pace.
“Our international passenger numbers have doubled in the past ten years but our Border Force kiosk numbers have remained the same, and the international arrivals experience has become one of our biggest passenger pain points,” she said.
The first phase of Melbourne Airport’s international terminal expansion is expected to open later in 2026 and will include a new baggage handling system and updated pick-up and drop-off facilities servicing Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The expansion will support works to extend the international terminal footprint into the existing forecourt and departures ramp area.
Argus said services through key Middle East hubs were gradually returning, helping restore stability to international operations.
“Flights from the Middle East are progressively returning and schedules are stabilising, with Emirates now flying twice a day between Melbourne and Dubai and Qatar Airways operating double daily flights to Doha from June,” she said.
“While this is down on what was being flown before the Middle East conflict began, it represents a welcome return of stability to operations through some of our most important global hubs.”
