The impact of a travel ban from China appears to have been less pronounced at Brisbane Airport than in Sydney or Melbourne during February, with the latest numbers showing a 7.7 decrease in international passengers.
This compares to a 17 per cent drop for Melbourne Airport and a 16.8 per cent fall in international passengers for Sydney Airport (ASX: SYD).
Brisbane Airport reports it had 34,000 fewer people flying internationally compared to the same period last year, and 19,000 fewer domestic passengers passing through representing a decline of 1.5 per cent.
Melbourne Airport had a 5.2 per cent decline in domestic travellers, while Sydney Airport's numbers fell by 4.5 per cent.
For the first nine days of March, provisional data shows Sydney has witnessed a 25 per cent reduction in international passenger traffic and a 6 per cent decrease domestically.
Chinese nationals, who were previously the second-largest traveller group to pass through Sydney Airport, fell to fifth place behind Australians, Americans, New Zealanders and Brits.
The latest data from Brisbane Airport shows the downturn in March is expected to be more significant.
"For the first week of March, international passengers are already down 16.3 per cent compared to the same period last year, while domestic passengers are down 1.8 per cent," a spokesperson said.
"Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) continues to monitor the situation very closely. With the situation changing daily, it is possible more flight reductions are to come, as the coronavirus spread globally.
"BAC is working closely with our airlines, government and industry on future impacts and recovery plans."
Updated at 5pm AEDT on 12 March 2020.
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