Sydney Airport recorded its strongest Q1 for international travel on record, with 4.57 million international passengers in Q1 2026—and New Zealand continues to be one of SYD’s strongest international markets in the first quarter of 2026, with Kiwi passenger arrivals up 13.5%, year-on-year.
Total Q1 passenger volumes for SYD rose 3.6% year-on-year to 10.78 million travellers.
The airport attributes the international passenger growth to increased airline capacity and sustained demand across Asia-Pacific and major long-haul markets. Momentum has been maintained despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East from late Feb, it adds.
New Zealand and China were the airport’s largest international markets for the quarter, with passenger volumes on routes to and from China increasing by 14%.
Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch were its top three Kiwi inbound markets, followed by Wellington and Hamilton. Passenger arrivals from all New Zealand destinations have increased year-on-year.
Key routes such as SYD-AKL and SYD-CHC are benefitting from additional Tasman air capacity, it adds.
“[Q1’s] record international growth is a great outcome, particularly given the disruption in the Middle East,” says SYD ceo Scott Charlton.
“As we move into Q2, we are seeing airlines adjust their networks in response to geopolitical developments and the fuel environment, with a focus on routing changes rather than any wholesale shift in demand.”
. . . Operational
SYD maintained a high level of operational performance in Q1, with 90% of arriving passengers clearing immigration within 34 minutes, compared to 36 minutes in Q1 2025. Departure performance was down 3.6% at the international terminal year-on-year.
International kerbside drop-off performance remained below prior-year levels, and SYD says it continues to improve access and manage congestion.
. . . Infrastructure
Terminal 2 at SYD now has six new CT-enabled security screening lanes and 15 new self-service BagTag and check-in kiosks have been installed, alongside six automatic bag drop systems.
Escalators and lifts were upgraded, and new stores Pop Mart and UGG have opened in the terminal.
At Terminal 3, 24 new automatic bag drops are now operational.
