Darwin International Airport Statistics

• Domestic airlines carried 1,659,842 passengers in 2025, reflecting steady internal demand and regular flight schedules.
• International airlines handled 281,517 passengers, showing increasing demand across reopened routes and improving traveler confidence.

The airport sees over 25,000 regular public transport (RPT) takeoffs and landings annually.

• In 2025, there were 26,688 aircraft movements, surpassing 2019’s 25,348 movements.
• In 2020, movements fell to 15,054, the lowest point during the pandemic.
• Numbers rose to 21,531 in 2021 and 23,972 in 2022.
• Aircraft movements further increased to 25,072 in 2023 and 25,362 in 2024, reflecting the rebound in airport activity.

The airport experiences clear seasonal trends, with higher traffic during the dry season (May to October) and lower numbers during the wet season (December to March).

• July was the busiest month with 222,556 passengers, coinciding with school holidays and peak tourism.
• August followed with 199,147 passengers, and September saw 186,721 passengers, reflecting strong mid-year demand.
• June had 183,546 passengers and October had 175,307 passengers, indicating sustained tourist activity before and after the peak travel months.
• The lowest traffic occurred in February with 109,712, followed by March with approximately 127,372, typical of wet season slowdown.

Domestic Destinations

• Melbourne (MEL) served 292,654 passengers, the busiest domestic route due to strong business and leisure travel.
• Perth (PER) handled 192,008 passengers, supporting FIFO travel to Western Australia’s mining sector.

• Wet season weather is the primary cause, with storms, lightning and heavy rain delaying afternoon and evening flights from December to March.
• Cyclones can close the airport for 24 to 48 hours, causing multiple cancellations.
• Limited diversion options mean delays escalate quickly due to lack of nearby airports and crew limitations.
• Being at the end of the line on many routes, delays from cities like Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney often carry over into Darwin’s schedule.
• Military activity, especially exercises like Pitch Black, may occasionally disrupt civilian flights, though these are typically well-managed.

• 26 January 1960: A Transportes Aéreos de Timor de Havilland Heron crashed into the sea about an hour after takeoff, killing all 9 on board. Weather and low visibility were contributing factors.
• 25 December 1974: Cyclone Tracy severely damaged the airport and destroyed a Merpati Nusantara aircraft. The airport later served as a key evacuation point for over 25,000 people.
• 22 March 2010: An Airnorth Embraer EMB-120 crashed shortly after takeoff during a training flight, killing both pilots. Improper procedures during a simulated engine failure were cited as the cause.