1. Gold Coast Airport
Once serving as an emergency landing
area, the Gold Coast Airport has established itself as Australia’s fastest
growing international airport and has serviced more than five million
passengers this year. The airport scooped up numerous titles in the 2011 Skytrax
World Airport Awards poll – a survey completed by 11.38 million airport
customers and including more than 240 airports worldwide in its questionnaire –
beating out Brisbane and Christchurch for the “Best Regional Airport” award in
the Australia/Pacific category, as well as taking top honors over two New
Zealand airports for “Staff Service Excellence.” The Australian Airports
Association (AAA) named it the “Major Australian Airport of the Year” in 2010.
Oh, and the Gold Coast region enjoys approximately 300 days of sunshine per
year.
2. Brisbane Airport
Brisbane was named the third-best
Australia/Pacific airport in the world by the Skytrax World Airport Awards poll
this year, and it was the only Australian airport to make the worldwide Top 25
list in 2010 (coming in at #18). Brisbane is next up to start showing
improvements: in late October, they secured a $500 million bank loan for
infrastructure upgrades.
3. Melbourne International Airport
(Tullamarine)
Ranked in the Top 5 list for the
“world’s best airport servicing 15-25 million passengers” by the Airports
Council International (ACI), the airport boasts the fourth most-travelled air
route in the world (Melbourne to Sydney). Business Traveller Magazine has
consistently ranked this airport in its Top 10 list. As of October 2011,
service from Melbourne to Guangzhou has doubled to twice-daily flights for
convenient travel to China’s capital.
4. Great Barrier Reef Airport –
Hamilton Island
The setting for the “Best Job in the
World” caretaker gig, Hamilton Island boasts a lively harbour yacht scene and
enviable golf courses just minutes from the airport. Service to the island
includes daily flights from Melbourne and Cairns, daily lunchtime flights from
Sydney, and service from Brisbane twice a day. Corporate jets are welcome.
5. Sydney Kingsford-Smith
International Airport
Australia’s busiest hub, Sydney
Airport connects the country to 46 international, 23 domestic interstate and 28
regional destinations. A consistent winner of “Best Airport” and “Top 10
Airports” over the past decade by Skytrax, the World Travel Awards and Condé
Nast, what makes that three-hour wait before an international flight worthwhile
is the Qantas International First Lounge – think world-class dining, speedy
wi-fi, two tech-equipped meeting rooms, and a Payot day spa.
6. Adelaide Airport
The Australian Airport Association
(AAA) named the airport “Australia’s Best Capital City Airport” in 2006,
followed by a #2 ranking in the Airports Council International’s Top 25
worldwide airport poll in the 5-15 million passengers category. Starting 24
November, Cathay Pacific will offer three non-stop flights per week over the
summer to Hong Kong from Adelaide, and an earlier departure time to 36 other
international destinations.
7. Canberra Airport
Set within the country’s first 5-star
“Australian Excellence” Green Star rated business park at Brindabella Circuit,
Canberra Airport is dedicated to sustainable practices. The airport produces
its own electricity from natural gas fired generators and favours
tri-generation technology to further green its everyday operations. Perhaps
Julia Gillard will soon fly a vegie oil-powered jet from the ACT to
cross-country meetings.
8. Perth International Airport
Australia’s fourth-busiest airport
and one of its largest, Perth Airport serves as the gateway to several
international business nations throughout Asia, South Africa, and the United
Arab Emirates, helping earn its consecutive titles for “Australia Major Airport
of the Year” awards in 2003 and 2004 by the Australian Airports
Association(AAA).
9. Darwin International Airport
The Top End’s busiest airport,
approximately 40 flights depart from Darwin International Airport daily.
Released in October, a $60 million expansion of the airport will make ita hub for travel to Southeast Asian nations
– and a tourist destination within itself. The expansion completion is slated
for 2014.
10. Townsville Airport
A bustling North Queensland town
within close proximity to Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane and the Gold
Coast, Townsville Airport services 1.6 million passengers per year. The city
centre, located 5 km from the airport, is home to Australia’s largest military
base, major seaport and mineral processing plants.
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