In the past, Sydney Airport was the main international tourist gateway to Australia. But in recent years, its status has been declining. Over the years, international passenger traffic in Australia has increased by 34% in the five years to 2016-17 to 39 million passengers! But more and more passengers have given up the traditional "transit point" of Sydney Airport and chose to enter Australia through smaller cities.
Ten years ago, nearly half of international travelers entered Australia through Sydney! But that number fell to 40% today. The proportion of international passengers at Brisbane Airport has also fallen! in 2016 / 17, 14% of people chose to fly to Kunzhou Airport, up from 18% 10 years ago.
So which city is more popular with international travelers today?
According to a report prepared by the Deloitte Access Economics for the Australian Airport Association, the proportion of international passengers arriving in Australia via Melbourne Airport has risen to 26 percent from 20 percent a decade ago. Gold Coast and Adelaide's market share has also increased! Especially after the opening of China Southern Airlines direct flights, more passengers know about this small town!
Adelaide Airport Director Ma Mark Young said the airport worked closely with the Australian National Tourism Administration to adopt a "South Australia team" approach and strategically target new international routes.
"this is a very competitive market," Young said. "in terms of international services, we are in direct open competition with other airports."
"in the case of South Australia, we are actually taking advantage of the growing demand for healthy food from clean sources, based on natural tourism, food and wine experiences," he said.
Since 2016, the airport has increased the number of international flights operated by Qatar Airlines (Qarta Airways), China Southern Airlines (China Southern Airlines) and Fiji Airlines (fijia Airways), and hopes to open direct flights to the West Coast of the United States. Increase flights to China, the fastest-growing market.
About 40 percent of international passengers travel through Adelaide to other Australian airports, so the airport is trying to increase the number of direct flights to overseas destinations using smaller, more fuel-efficient aircraft, Young said.
"nothing stimulates the market more than direct service," he said.