What’s happening?
Corporate travel to regional Queensland is increasing, with Townsville recording strong growth in late 2025.
New booking data from FCM Travel, the large-market corporate division of Flight Centre Travel Group, shows business bookings from Brisbane to Townsville rose 17 per cent in the final quarter of 2025.
The data tracks corporate travel departing Brisbane Airport and points to rising demand for regional Queensland routes.
The trend follows the Queensland Government’s launch of the Destination 2045 Strategy in June 2025, which committed more than $1 billion over four years to aviation, regional events, and tourism infrastructure.
Why it matters
The increase shows Townsville’s role in Queensland’s economy is expanding beyond its traditional defence and minerals base.
Accommodation and food services entered FCM’s top five industries for corporate travel in Q4 2025, signalling stronger business activity linked to events, meetings, and tourism.
FCM Travel ANZ General Manager Renos Rologas said the profile of regional business travel has shifted.
“Regional Queensland is an economic powerhouse, and the travel data proves corporate Australia is finally treating it like one,” he said.
“The diversity of what’s driving these trips has changed. The fact is, it’s not just project coordinators heading to the regions anymore, it’s executives, decision-makers, and investors.
“The State Government’s investment in air connectivity is hurrying that shift, but the fundamentals were always there, resources, infrastructure, events, and now the transport links to match.”
Local impact
Townsville is diversifying into clean energy, tourism, higher education, health, and logistics.
This shift is supported by more than $13.6 billion in public and private investment, bringing steady corporate travel into the city for meetings, site visits, and events.
Improved flight capacity is also enabling same-day business travel between Brisbane and Townsville.
By the numbers
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Business travel bookings from Brisbane to Townsville increased by 17 per cent in the final quarter of 2025, according to FCM Travel data.
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Around 22 daily flights now operate between Brisbane and Townsville, equating to about 156 services each week.
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From November 2025, Virgin Australia up-gauged the Brisbane–Townsville route with Boeing 737 aircraft, adding about 6,000 extra seats per month.
Zoom in
Brisbane Airport plays a central role in supporting regional travel growth.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the airport connects regional communities with essential services and economic activity.
“As Queensland’s premier transport hub, Brisbane Airport plays a critical role in connecting regional communities to enable tourism, mining, and essential healthcare, as well as bringing loved ones together,” he said.
“When Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is thriving. BNE is Australia’s most connected domestic airport, with connections to 62 destinations, half of them in Queensland.
“Brisbane Airport is also the hub of Queensland’s air freight network, which is essential for the time-critical delivery of goods to people and businesses across the state, including medical supplies, fresh produce and exports.
“Every flight through our airport helps bring people, investment, and opportunity to all corners of the state.”
Zoom out
Across Queensland, corporate travel is closely tracking infrastructure and events investment.
The Destination 2045 Strategy includes a $2 billion regional events pipeline, aimed at spreading tourism and business activity beyond Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
With the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games approaching, corporate travel patterns are already adjusting toward well-connected regional centres.
What to look for next?
As major projects and new hospitality infrastructure come online in Townsville, corporate travel volumes are expected to remain strong.
Airline capacity, event schedules, and investment timelines will shape the next phase of regional business travel growth.
