Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour confirmed on 3 December that Hervey Bay Airport handled an unprecedented 21,654 passengers in October—its busiest month since opening—driven by Jetstar’s twice-daily services to Melbourne and Sydney, both running at 92 % load factors.
The spike represents a 7.3 % month-on-month jump and underpins council plans to extend the terminal apron and woo a second carrier. Jetstar has sweetened demand further with $100 one-way flash sales for 2026 shoulder-season travel, while QantasLink has reinstated morning and evening Brisbane rotations, restoring connectivity for FIFO workforces heading to central-Queensland mining projects.
![Regional Lift-Off: Hervey Bay Airport Smashes Passenger Record on Melbourne–Sydney Links]()
Local tourism operators predict the record will inject an extra $12 million into the regional economy through accommodation, car hire and whale-watching charters. Business-events organisers have already pencilled in a 300-delegate medical conference for May 2026, citing improved flight options.
Global mobility managers with staff posted to Fraser Coast aged-care and agritech sites should review travel policies, as increased frequencies enable same-day return trips to Sydney for project teams, reducing overnight expenses.
The spike represents a 7.3 % month-on-month jump and underpins council plans to extend the terminal apron and woo a second carrier. Jetstar has sweetened demand further with $100 one-way flash sales for 2026 shoulder-season travel, while QantasLink has reinstated morning and evening Brisbane rotations, restoring connectivity for FIFO workforces heading to central-Queensland mining projects.
Local tourism operators predict the record will inject an extra $12 million into the regional economy through accommodation, car hire and whale-watching charters. Business-events organisers have already pencilled in a 300-delegate medical conference for May 2026, citing improved flight options.
Global mobility managers with staff posted to Fraser Coast aged-care and agritech sites should review travel policies, as increased frequencies enable same-day return trips to Sydney for project teams, reducing overnight expenses.
