In a massive milestone moment for Aussie aviation and overseas travel, Melbourne Airport has become the first Australian capital city airport to exceed 100 per cent of pre-pandemic capacity for international flights.
A one per cent increase on the 1.29 million seats available in December 2019, more than 1.31 million seats will be available for international passengers to and from Melbourne Airport this month, according to the Victorian hub.
Tullamarine reached the significant milestone on the day that Aircalin relaunched flights between Melbourne and New Caledonia after an absence of more than three years.
Utilising its new A320Neo, Aircalin will operate the Melbourne-Noumea service three times per week. Travellers will be able to connect to the islands of Lifou, Ouvea and the Isle of Pines on the same ticket.
In acknowledging the occasion, Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus paid tribute to all of the airport staff who had contributed to the milestone.
“Covid tested the fabric of every business and it’s a credit to the team here that two years after the Australian border re-opened, we are the nation’s first airport to exceed pre-pandemic international capacity,” she remarked.
“This result was only made possible because of our close partnership with the Victorian government, and I’d like to thank them for the support they’ve provided to attract more airlines and aviation activity to Melbourne.”
Aircalin’s return, Argus said, brings the number of international airlines operating at the hub to 36 – and the airport expects to add to that total “in the not-too-distant future”.
“There is a huge demand for flights to tropical holiday destinations and given New Caledonia’s proximity, we expect these services will be very popular with Victorians,” she stated.
“Pleasingly, approximately 10 per cent of our current international capacity is being operated by new airlines or on new routes, which means consumers and exporters have more choice about when and where to fly.”
Argus also expects the increase in flights to put much-needed “downward pressure on airfares”.
“There is still latent demand in the market, and we believe a liberalising of the Bilateral Air Service Agreements with a move towards open skies policies would give airlines the certainty to expand operations into Melbourne,” she said.
Meanwhile, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said the increase in flights will have a significant effect on the state’s tourism sector.
“When these flights land in Melbourne our hotels, restaurants, retailers and attractions get a huge tourism boost – right across the state,” he said.
“Our hospitality and tourism operators are ready to welcome travellers from across the globe and provide them with some of the best Australia has to offer – at the same time boosting local jobs across Victoria.”
Aircalin celebrated its 40th anniversary on 24 November 2023 with a renewed commitment to a more sustainable future through a new tagline: ‘New Caledonia, it’s in our nature’ and logo to mark the momentous occasion.
Read our flight review out of Melbourne international to the US here.
