Perth Airport hits all-time high 18 million passenger number record

19 January, 2026

Total passenger numbers for 2025 came in at 18.026 million, soaring past last year’s previous record of 16.9 million.

International (5.4m) and regional (6.4m) passenger numbers were the highest ever recorded for a calendar year. The 2025 numbers also included record results for interstate passengers (6.2m).

Perth Airport CEO Jason Waters said 2025 was a year of extraordinary growth and transformation for Perth Airport.

“Passenger numbers reached record highs, with more than 18 million travellers passing through our terminals in 2025 – representing a 6.6 per cent increase on the previous year.

“International passenger numbers for 2025 surged by an extraordinary 12.5 per cent compared to 2024, while total domestic passenger numbers were up 4.2 per cent and regional travel continued its steady growth.

“The resources sector remains a key driver of regional passenger numbers, but tourism and business travel is now having a bigger influence, reflected in the stronger interstate and international traveller numbers.

“Qantas has launched direct flights to Johannesburg and Auckland, ANA now operates daily flights to Tokyo and China Southern Airlines has recently announced a year-round, non-stop service between Perth and Guangzhou which means we are expecting international passenger numbers to soar to even greater heights in 2026.

Mr Waters said this unprecedented demand and exceptional growth in passenger numbers underscores the critical need for additional capacity and improved facilities across the Perth Airport estate.

“To meet this challenge, in 2025 we unveiled our ‘One Airport’ vision, supported by a historic multi-billion-dollar investment program set to reshape Perth Airport over the next decade.

“This transformation includes a new parallel runway, expanded international terminal, new terminal facilities, two multi-storey carparks, significant road upgrades, and our first on-airport hotel.

“Work is already underway – we are constructing our first multi-storey carpark, upgrades to Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are also progressing. We’ve also commenced work on the critical new runway project.

“The coming decade will completely change the face of Perth Airport, creating a better travel experience for passengers, greater efficiency for airlines, and significant economic benefits for Western Australia.”

Mr Waters said delivering these projects in a live operational environment is complex and the airport acknowledges the temporary inconvenience this may cause.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers as we build the infrastructure Western Australia needs for the future.”