Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is a suburb in its own right, the largest capital city airport in Australia by land size (2,700 hectares) and the third largest airport in Australia by passenger numbers, with more than 22.6 million passengers travelling through the airport in FY24.

2025 marks an important milestone for Brisbane Airport, celebrating 100 years since Brisbane Airport’s aerodrome opened at Eagle Farm. Since then, Brisbane Airport has transformed, expanding to its current site in 1988.

Upon opening in our expanded location, both domestic and international flights flew from, what is now, our Domestic Terminal. An architectural review of the Domestic Terminal in 1988 by Professor Paul Reid described the terminal as a “building of diagrammatic clarity”. He credited the architects, noting that: “A building so large, emerging from such complex and technical and bureaucratic requirements has been given such simple form”.

Refurbishment works exposed the original internal domed roof line restoring the building’s architectural integrity and flooding the terminal with natural light. A $40 million redevelopment of the Domestic Terminal was completed which exposed more of the domed roof line, whilst adding new airlines lounges, upgraded food halls, premium bars, restaurants and specialty retailers.

The International Terminal in its current location was opened in 1995. A key aspect of the terminal design was to provide a facility that could be easily expanded for projected passenger growth. A $45 million redevelopment of the Departure Hall of the International Terminal was completed in October 2015 and a Terminal expansion completed in 2018. Every part of the design leveraged the unique character of Brisbane, with a specific focus on Queensland’s enviable outdoor lifestyle, creating an environment that encapsulates the personality of Brisbane and Queensland.

Queensland artists were also selected to provide key pieces and local materials were used for a variety of aspects to support Queensland and Australian suppliers. The stunning fit out features locally sourced stone, timbers, fittings and plants which define dedicated dwell, work and relaxation areas.

Brisbane’s New Runway, otherwise known as the New Parallel Runway, was opened in July 2020 at the height of COVID-19, with an investment of $1.1 billion, the project generated 2,700+ construction jobs. The opening of the New Parallel Runway increased capacity for Brisbane Airport and is set to contribute significantly to Queensland’s economy.

Brisbane Airport has supported numerous important events through our history, including World Expo ’88, the 1982 Commonwealth Games, The G20 Summit in 2014, and many more. Now Brisbane Airport looks to the future of our precinct, investing over $5 billion across 150+ projects to prepare for the growth of the region. Between now and 2032, the population of Queensland will soar 16% to just north of 6 million people. Combined with an expected surge in tourism as our fame as an Olympic City spreads, this population growth will see passenger numbers at Brisbane Airport increase to 30 million a year by 2032.

The Brisbane Airport Precinct Bus Tour will stop at the Kingsford Smith Memorial and Plane Spotting Construction Platform.