Brisbane Airport numbers boosted by Ashes and schoolies Brisbane Airport is expecting continued growth in passenger numbers. AN influx of Brits coming to watch the opening Test of the Ashes series and the arrival of schoolies are expected to contribute to continued second-quarter passenger growth at Brisbane Airport after first quarter figures rose 1.8 per cent. International passengers were up 5.8 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year while domestic passengers numbers rose 0.6 per cent as the airport handled just over 5.7 million passengers. Brisbane airport chief executive Julieanne Alroe described the international growth as a turnaround on last year and a result of additional seat capacity and attractive fares. New services or additional frequencies were offered by airlines such as Hawaiian Airlines, Etihad, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines Garuda Indonesia and Philippine Airlines. As well as the Ashes and schoolie invasion, the airport is expecting international growth from additional seats on offer by Qantas, Eva Air and China Airlines as well as an Emirates decision to last month start serving Brisbane with an Airbus A380. Domestic growth has been subdued due to higher airfares, a preference for outbound travel as well as lower consumer and business confidence. But the airport is predicting stronger consumer and business confidence in recent months will translate to a recovery in demand. It also said capacity growth would come from Virgin Australia and Jetstar.