If you’d like a short bedtime read, the recently released 2026 Brisbane Airport Master Plan Preliminary Draft might not fit the bill, at a whopping 281 pages.
The plan details current stats (25.7M passengers per annum – 72% domestic, 28% international) and where it sees these figures going over the next few decades – predicting 34.8M passengers in 2032 and 52.3M in 2046.
Clearly – if this eventuates – there will be a need for an increase in ‘aircraft movements’ (flights), and the master plan projects that the number of flights will increase from the current 225,400 a year to 273,900 in 2032 and 381,800 in 2046.
It’s important to note that these predictions are generally in line with current growth predictions for Brisbane and South East Queensland and of course the likely impact of the Olympics in 2032.
One of the main concerns of Bayside residents is aircraft noise, and the master plan does address this issue (chapter 12).
Public consultation on proposed flight path changes has now closed and WynnumCentral understands that there has been some local opposition to a proposed night time take off flight path, which would see aircraft making a sharp left turn immediately after taking off and flying over Bayside suburbs such as Hemmant, Lytton, Wynnum, Wynnum West and Manly.
Some of these aircraft would be flying at heights down to 549m (~1,800ft). If it is adopted, this new flight path would come into force in the middle of next year.
A team from Brisbane Airport will be at the Bayside Spring Festival on Saturday 13th September and they welcome any questions, comments or feedback from the public on the new master plan, which covers a wide range of topics including aircraft noise, aviation development, sustainability and connectivity.
More info…
https://www.bne.com.au/airport-master-plan (full 2026 Brisbane Airport Master Plan Preliminary Draft)
https://www.airservicesaustralia.com/community/environment/aircraft-noise/webtrak/ (shows live aircraft movements for Brisbane)
https://caportal.com.au/asa/brisbane-baseline-model (proposed night time departure flight paths)
