Brisbane International Airport (BNE) is planning to expand its services to 50 international destinations within the next decade, strengthening links to Asia and opening new connections to South America. These plans are supported by the AUD$5 billion FutureBNE infrastructure programme.
New International Destinations
Brisbane Airport (BNE) currently serves 35 international destinations and aims to expand this to 50 by the mid-2030s. Plans include additional services to Thailand, China and India, as well as a new South American link through Santiago.
BNE is Queensland’s largest airport and primary international gateway. It had a record of 25.2 million passengers in FY26, up 4% from the previous financial year. Mainland China was the airport’s fastest-growing international market, with 51.1% more passengers than the previous financial year.
Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation, said the expansion reflects rising demand:
“With more people travelling, we want to offer people more choice than we currently can offer them. Our forecast is that we will, and it’s a bit of a target number, that in the mid-2030s, we will have 50 destinations or more.”
Brisbane’s FutureBNE Programme
The plan for increased connectivity is in conjunction with BNE’s AUD$5 billion “FutureBNE” transformation programme. This includes a proposed third terminal, which is aimed to be operational ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Announced in 2023, FutureBNE comprises of over 150 projects to upgrade existing terminals, expand aircraft parking and apron capacity, and resurface runways. The programmed intends to accommodate long-term passenger growth and improve airport infrastructure.
De Graaff added:
“We’re investing now to get ahead of the population growth curve so we’re ready for 2032 and beyond. We’re investing now so Queenslanders and the world are more closely connected. And we’re investing now to be a leader in sustainability”
Would you be more likely to travel to Brisbane with the increased international destinations? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
