Aussies jetting overseas in record numbers despite Middle East conflict

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 12:21

These are the nations buoying up international travel while most of the Middle East remains off-limits.

Australians are continuing to jet overseas in record numbers despite the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, with the country's international terminals busier than ever.

A total of 4.57 million international passengers flew in and out of Sydney Airport between January and March this year, new figures show – an increase of 5.8 per cent compared to the same period last year.

That's the highest number of passengers the airport has ever seen in its first quarter.

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It comes on the back of Sydney Airport's busiest year on record for international travel last year, when 17.17 million passengers flew in and out of the international terminal.

Melbourne Airport has also seen a surge in passenger numbers, surpassing one million international passengers in March for the first time.

"March was a difficult month for many travellers, with conflict in the Middle East causing significant disruption for some of our major hubs and key routes to Europe," Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said.

"While Middle East services are progressively resuming and stabilising, it has been pleasing to see other airlines add capacity."

Airport traffic has been steadily rebuilding since the historic lows of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the outbreak of war in Iran on February 28 grounded thousands of flights and forced thousands more to re-route around the conflict zone.

Most of the Middle East remains a no-fly zone according to federal government travel advice, including the major transit hub of Doha.

New Zealand and China were the top overseas destinations for Australians flying out of Sydney Airport, up 13.5 and 14 per cent compared to last year, while

Travel through much of the Asia-Pacific rose, with Hong Kong trips up by more than 20 per cent and Kuala Lumpur by almost a third.

Conversely, trips to the United States dropped fractionally, down 0.7 per cent.

Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton said the figures were "a great outcome" given the disruptions in the Middle East.

"Growth across China and broader Asia is increasingly supporting travel into Europe, helping to offset softer conditions in parts of the Middle East," he said.

However, it remains to be seen whether ongoing geopolitical tensions and soaring jet fuel prices tamper demand in the coming months, with both domestic and international airfares already seeing significant price jumps.

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