Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport Statistics

Updated

Updated

Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport (KGI) is the primary regional airport serving Western Australia's Goldfields region. It connects the area to Perth and supports critical fly-in fly-out (FIFO) operations for the mining sector.

How many passengers pass through Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport each year?

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport handles approximately 360,000 passengers per year.

  • The airport served 397,089 passengers in 2025, setting a new annual record.
  • In 2019, before the pandemic, it handled 289,736 passengers.
  • Passenger traffic dropped to 160,003 in 2020, a 45% decline, then recovered to 255,077 in 2021.
  • The rebound continued with 302,825 in 2022, 359,732 in 2023, and 367,616 in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Bar chart of annual passenger numbers at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport from 2019 to 2025
Annual passenger traffic at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, 2019–2025.

What is the total number of aircraft operations at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport each year?

Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport sees over 4,000 commercial RPT flights annually.

  • In 2025, there were 4,714 RPT (Regular Public Transport) flights, representing the highest level in recent years and strong post-pandemic recovery.
  • Before the pandemic, 2019 saw 4,034 RPT movements.
  • Operations dropped to 2,285 in 2020, the lowest during the pandemic.
  • Recovery progressed steadily with 3,156 in 2021 and 3,293 in 2022.
  • Operations increased further to 3,776 in 2023 and 4,431 in 2024.
Bar chart of annual RPT flight movements at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport from 2019 to 2025
Annual RPT aircraft movements at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, 2019–2025.

Which airlines operate the most flights out of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport?

  • Qantas Group, including QantasLink, is the dominant airline at Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport. Virgin Australia holds the second-largest share, offering regular daily services.
  • Charter operators like Alliance Airlines also provide significant FIFO services but are not typically included in RPT statistics.
  • Qantas and Virgin together account for virtually 100% of scheduled passenger traffic, highlighting a highly concentrated market focused on the Perth route.

Passenger traffic at Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport was strongest in the second half of 2025, with the top five busiest months all occurring between July and November.

  • October recorded the highest volume at approximately 38,900 passengers, followed by August at 36,600 and September at 35,900.
  • November and July completed the top five busiest months, with around 35,100 and 34,200 passengers, respectively.
  • The quietest months were January at about 26,700 passengers and February at 27,800, indicating a softer start to the year before volumes increased from mid-year onward.
Bar chart of monthly passenger numbers at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport across 2025
Monthly passenger traffic at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport, 2025.

How many routes are there at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport?

Kalgoorlie–Boulder Airport offers only one scheduled domestic route: Perth-Kalgoorlie.

  • There are no international routes or customs facilities.
  • Charter flights connect to remote mine sites but are not part of regular public service.
  • Perth, WA (PER) is the only scheduled destination, with 396,651 passengers in 2025, accounting for nearly 100% of all traffic.
  • The route primarily serves FIFO workers with multiple daily flights operated by both Qantas and Virgin Australia.

How much cargo does Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport handle annually?

Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport handles limited cargo volume.

  • Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport supports a small regional air-freight function, with freight services provided through operators such as Qantas Freight, Virgin Australia Cargo, StarTrack, TNT and Toll.
  • All freight is domestic, primarily urgent mining equipment and parcels flown between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

What are the main causes of flight disruptions at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport?

  • Weather conditions, including occasional fog or thunderstorms affecting either Kalgoorlie or Perth.
  • Perth airport congestion, causing knock-on delays to Kalgoorlie services.
  • Aircraft technical issues, though less common than weather-related disruptions.
  • Crew scheduling challenges, particularly during peak FIFO periods.
  • Overall, the short route and uncongested KGI airspace result in minimal delays, with average departure delays around 8-10 minutes in 2024.

What are the notable incidents at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Airport?

  • January 2025: An ATR-72 prepared for a Kalgoorlie–Perth flight had engine intake covers left installed before engine start; no injuries or damage were reported.
  • January 2024: A Raytheon C90A experienced instrument and control issues after departing Kalgoorlie for Warburton and returned safely.
  • October 2021: A Qantas Boeing 737 diverted to Kalgoorlie after a fuel imbalance and engine shutdown, landing without incident.
  • August 2021: A Cessna 172N local training flight landed at Kalgoorlie with fuel below the required reserve; no injuries or damage occurred.
  • January 2018: A Cessna 172M made a forced landing near Kalgoorlie after fuel exhaustion; both occupants were uninjured, with minor aircraft damage.

References

  1. Australian Airports Traffic Data · bitre.gov.au
  2. Incident at Merimbula Airport · atsb.gov.au