Sydney Airport passengers down by 97.5pc in April

Australia's Sydney Airport reported a 97.5pc fall in passenger numbers to 92,000 in April compared with 3.68mn passengers a year earlier, as travel restrictions to combat the Covid-19 pandemic affected international and domestic customers.

Similar numbers are expected for May but could start to increase next month with New South Wales (NSW), where Sydney Airport is located, planning to allow regional travel in the state from 1 June. Australian national airline Qantas also outlined today plans to maintain usual seating arrangements in its flights rather than trying to accommodate social distancing rules, which could further increase passenger numbers.

The huge drop in passenger numbers at Sydney is likely to see a new record low set for Australian jet fuel consumption in April, after it slumped to a decade low of 114,000 b/d in March from 160,000 b/d a year earlier and from 148,000 b/d in February.

Interstate travel is Australia is still uncertain. NSW and Victoria, the two most populous states have kept their borders open through the pandemic, but Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory still have strict restrictions on interstate travellers. The governments of the closed regions are waiting for chief medical officers to advise that it is safe to do so before they consider reopening borders.

International travel to and from Australia is limited to essential workers and some repatriation flights. The possibility of reopening the border with New Zealand is the only easing that Canberra is currently contemplating but no dates have been outlined.

By Jo Clarke