Mackay Airport is celebrating a new milestone with a record 14 000 passengers passing through the city's award-winning terminal last week.

The airport processed 14 298 passengers -- up almost 500 on the previous week's record.

Airport general manager Trevor Heard linked the record throughput to the Queensland school holidays, but said the airport remained on track to process more than 620 000 passengers this financial year.

Passenger figures jumped a record 32 per cent last financial year to 580 000.

"Our bumper week is a clear indication of the impact low cost fares and incentives being offered to the airlines by the Mackay Port Authority are having on air travellers," he said.

"Why would you drive or catch a bus if you can fly to Brisbane for $89 and Sydney for $99?"

Mr Heard said the airport's record weekly growth was about to coincide with a high profile marketing campaign promoting Mackay as a holiday destination in Sydney.

He said Sydneysiders were being encouraged to enjoy a short getaway in Mackay as part of the city's new "Mackay – more than meets the eye" campaign.

Mr Heard said Jetstar was enticing people north by placing the new A320 Airbus on the direct Sydney-Mackay route.