Is anyone flying? Melbourne Airport passenger numbers at record low

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This was published 3 years ago

Is anyone flying? Melbourne Airport passenger numbers at record low

By Carolyn Webb

‘‘I am so happy, I can’t contain myself,’’ said Suzy Young.

After four months apart, the 72-year-old had an emotional reunion at the Melbourne Airport domestic arrivals on Wednesday with daughter Madeleine, 39, and 12-month-old grandson Maxwell.

'I'm so happy': Suzy Young, left, is reunited with daughter Madeleine and grandson Maxwell.

'I'm so happy': Suzy Young, left, is reunited with daughter Madeleine and grandson Maxwell.Credit: Wayne Taylor

But Ms Young, who touched down at 9.05am on a flight from Brisbane, said flying in the time of COVID-19 was scary and the two-hour journey was ‘‘like being in a tomb’’.

‘‘Nobody spoke, nothing happened, nobody moved. We were very grateful when we got our bottle of water and a bicky.’’

Madeleine, of Hawthorn, whose GP partner is working for three months in remote Northern Territory communities, was relieved to have Suzy here to support her.

While other states such as Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania have strict controls over who can enter, visitors can now enter Victoria without permits or quarantine, although those flying in from overseas must still quarantine in a hotel for 14 days.

The departures screen at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday morning.

The departures screen at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday morning.Credit: Wayne Taylor

Yes, some of us are flying but passenger numbers through Melbourne Airport plunged to record lows during COVID-19 restrictions.

In April — the latest month tallied — there were 63,240, not including transiting passengers, which airport CEO Lyell Strambi said was the lowest ‘‘since the airport first opened 50 years ago’’.

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It was an extraordinary 98 per cent drop on the 3.1 million passengers in April, 2019.

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Mr Strambi said the low in flight numbers during COVID-19 came on Easter Saturday, April 11, when there was just 29 flights taking off and landing.

But on Wednesday, almost eight weeks later, there were still just 31 passenger flights — 16 departures and 15 arrivals.

‘‘The lack of passengers is not only hurting airlines, but also our café and restaurant owners and their staff, our transport operators and hotels,’’ Mr Strambi said.

‘‘The flow-on effects are huge, especially since the airport supports around 20,000 jobs.

‘‘A full recovery is going to take time but we know demand for air travel is strong and we’re supportive of a domestic re-start as soon as it is safe to do so.’’

Another passenger on Wednesday, Rod McKenzie, 65, said Melbourne Airport seemed ‘‘like a ghost town’’.

On the bright side, ‘‘normally there’s queues everywhere and you have to allow a lot more time’’.

Mr McKenzie, from Aireys Inlet, was flying to Brisbane with Qantas to pick up a $50,000 motor home imported from Japan, which he plans to drive back to Melbourne.

'Like a ghost town': Rod McKenzie was off to Brisbane on Wednesday.

'Like a ghost town': Rod McKenzie was off to Brisbane on Wednesday.Credit: Wayne Taylor

Mr McKenzie needed a special pass to enter Queensland, giving ‘‘a good reason’’ for travelling.

‘‘And they accepted it,’’ he said. ‘‘I didn’t think I’d get one, I was shocked.’’

Meriana Ferris, 39, said the airport seemed ‘‘so empty’’ compared to her last time here late last year when it was ‘‘packed’’.

On Wednesday, she and her five children, ages 6 to 17, were returning to live in Brisbane, after trying out Melbourne for eight months.

Moving back to Brissie: Meriana Ferris, centre, and her children at Melbourne Airport.

Moving back to Brissie: Meriana Ferris, centre, and her children at Melbourne Airport.Credit: Wayne Taylor

Her husband Anaru, 38, will follow in December.

Ms Ferris said Melbourne was ‘‘too cold’’, and the lifestyle too fast for her. ‘‘I like Melbourne. I just haven’t given myself enough time to love it’’.

Ms Ferris was confident Qantas’ ‘‘precautions and procedures’’ would ensure flying was safe from COVID-19, and the family carried masks and hand sanitisers.

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