One of Mackay Airport’s busiest routes will soon be serviced by larger aircraft, with Virgin Australia to begin flying more Boeing 737s between Brisbane and Mackay from February next year.

In replacing the smaller Fokker 100 aircraft that have supplemented the airline’s national growth in recent years, the new Boeing 737s flights will inject thousands of additional seats into the market and positioning 2025 as a bumper year for visitation and industry growth.

The upgrade will increase capacity on the route by close to 50 per cent, with the Boeing 737 providing approximately 420,000 seats on the route per year up from 246,000 on the smaller aircraft. More than 50,000 passengers are expected to travel through Mackay Airport across the three weeks leading into Christmas, a 10 per cent increase on regular traffic flows.

Virgin Australia fly more Boeing 737s between Brisbane and Mackay from February next year.

Mackay Airport head of operations, Adrian Miles, said the return of Virgin Australia’s Boeing 737, which offers business class, would be well received by passengers, particularly those regularly travelling for work.

“This is a testament to the strength of the corporate market between Brisbane and Mackay, with Mackay being one of the first ports to transition back to the Boeing 737,” he said. “It will be fantastic to kick off 2025 with Virgin’s Boeing 737 regularly servicing our region.”

It follows a series of developments across Mackay Airport in 2024, including commencement of long-term
commercial project Milton Precinct. Vacant land will be transformed into a purpose-built business, retail and mixed use service hub, offering an array of industry opportunities and injecting millions of dollars into the local economy each year.

A concept illustration of the Milton Precinct commercial project.

Mackay Airport also launched the Hidden Disabilities Program, the inaugural $25,000 Mackay Airport Local
Community Sports Grants campaign and entered a number of key partnerships aimed at growing the region’s visitor market, such as a three-year strategic agreement with Harrup Park and continued sponsorship of the Mackay Cutters.

Miles said Mackay Airport was ready for a busy holiday season to close out the successful year.

“Over the three weeks leading into Christmas, we expect more than 50,000 passengers to travel through Mackay Airport, which is a 10 per cent increase on regular traffic flows,” he said.

“If you’re planning to leave your vehicle at Mackay Airport, we recommend that you consider pre-booking parking online. Screening may also be busier than usual, with more families and children travelling during school holidays, so passengers may wish to allow a little extra time before your flight. Our retailers, bars and restaurants will be open so you can relax or finish your Christmas gift shopping.

“I would like to thank our community for their patience and understanding at this exciting and busy time of year. Together with the team at Mackay Airport, we wish everyone a safe and enjoyable festive break.”

From left: Mackay Airport Head of Operations; Adrian Miles, Mackay Airport CEO Richard Barker, Harrup Park board chair Terry Doolan, and Harrup Park CEO Adrian Young gathered in September 2024 to celebrate commencement of a three-year strategic partnership between Mackay Airport and Harrup Park.

By the numbers

• From February 2025, Virgin Australia will begin flying more Boeing 737s between Brisbane and Mackay, replacing the smaller Fokker 100 aircraft.
• The upgrade will increase capacity on the route by close to 50 per cent, with approximately 420,000 seats on the route per year up from 246,000.
• More than 50,000 passengers are expected to travel through Mackay Airport across the three weeks leading into Christmas, a 10 per cent increase on regular traffic flows.
• Mackay Airport commenced work on the Milton Precinct in 2024. This major, long-term commercial development is estimated to provide $134.1 million to the local economy in the first 10 years of operation and new businesses at the site are expected to generate $42.5 million in output per year.
• Mackay Airport and Harrup Park entered a strategic three-year agreement in September. The partnership is aimed at bolstering major sporting and leisure opportunities to grow visitation and the regional economy.
  In 2025, through an agreement with CleanCo Queensland, Mackay Airport will achieve Net Zero emissions (for Scope 1 and 2).
• This means 100 per cent of the airport’s electricity, and that of tenants, will be powered by renewable energy.
• The 2024 Mackay Airport Twilight City Run was the biggest yet, with 900 participants taking to the course. The event also raised $7000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.
• Five deserving groups will soon receive $2,000 each as part of the annual Mackay Airport Making Christmas a Little Brighter Campaign.