Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for June 2026.
Highlights include:
- This June 2026 edition provides a snapshot of the key performance outcomes for the Australian aviation network in Financial Year 2025-2026 (FY26).
- Our industry demonstrated strong resilience and adaptability this year. Despite significant disruptions to global aviation from the Middle East conflict, passenger volumes grew by 3% compared to FY25, driven by robust leisure travel, continued resource sector activities and 7% growth in international flights. 18 December 2025 was the busiest day since 2019. General aviation, particularly flight training, experienced steady 3% year-on-year growth.
- While growth softened in the final quarter as airlines responded to fuel price volatility, supply chain constraints and market uncertainty, it was pleasing to see the industry continuing to adapt. With 117 new aircraft entering into the network, airlines are able to meet demand through higher aircraft utilisation and consistently strong load factors.
- Industry adaptability and greater resilience paid dividends despite the volatile environment. On-time performance and cancellation rates outperformed long-term averages for the second consecutive month, with Australian airlines placing among the world’s leading performers. All key Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) metrics improved despite increasingly challenging weather conditions that accounted for over two thirds of ground delays. These results reflect closer industry coordination to anticipate disruption, apply lessons learnt and align network settings to optimise operations.
- The industry also made meaningful progress in community and sustainability outcomes. User Preferred Routes delivered more than 42,700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions savings, with 53% of international flights benefiting from optimised flight profiles. The number of aircraft noise complainants fell to a six-year low. Maximising flights over water continues to be a priority focus in Brisbane, with Simultaneous Opposite Direction Parallel Runway Operations (SODPROPS) being delivered 89% of the time when weather conditions permitted.
- FY26 marked a significant milestone with Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) now operating at Australia’s four busiest airports. Through real-time information sharing and common operating picture, A-CDM is enabling enhanced departure on-time performance, unlocking peak-period capacity at constrained airport and data-informed approach to gate and bay management. Ongoing programs and workshops to further enhance this decision-making tool will continue to drive benefits over the long term.
- Air traffic service outcomes reached their highest level in the last five years, with service variations reduced by 86% year-on-year and Airservices-attributable ground delays fell by 13% year-on-year to less than 0.1% of total network delays. While this improving trend is pleasing to see, strengthening resilience across the network remains a key priority, particularly at Sydney. This effort is underpinned by an enhanced workforce capability, with a record number of air traffic controllers now in service following the introduction of 109 new controllers during FY26, additional staff progressing through the training pipeline, and ongoing efforts in strengthening all aspects of service resilience.
- The Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting service also maintained a high-standard of reliability, achieving 99.9% availability across the network while responding to increasing emergency call-outs. Together, these outcomes reflect Airservices’ ongoing commitment to delivering safe, reliable and efficient services that support the sustainable growth of Australia’s aviation industry.
About Airservices
Airservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry.
