MELBOURNE ACHIEVES RECORD INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER GROWTH
Melbourne Airport’s 2009/10 passenger figures are a testament to the city’s standing as a growing tourism and business destination of significant international importance.
Melbourne Airport achieved positive passenger results for the past financial year, with growth of 6% overall and 10% in the fourth quarter.
The international market expanded strongly by 13%. The key growth markets were Indonesia (up 36%), Malaysia (26%), China (14%) and India (10%). The $330 million international terminal expansion has also contributed to the strong results, by providing additional capacity for airlines to utilise.
In addition, almost 1 million more domestic passengers used Melbourne Airport over the past year, an increase of 4%, partly driven by Jetstar and Tiger Airways increasing services on their domestic networks from Melbourne.
Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said the outstanding figures show the strength of Melbourne as a destination and the close relationship between the airport and its airlines.
"There is no denying that the industry has faced a challenging two years. Melbourne Airport has worked even more closely with our airline customers to keep costs significantly lower than other Australian airports, while maintaining high service levels.
"We operate 24 hours a day to allow for scheduling flexibility, we have a single terminal precinct allowing for ease of domestic and international connection and we are very close to the CBD, which is only a twenty-minute bus ride away," he said.
Mr Woodruff predicted growth of overseas visitors, particularly from Asia, in the coming years.
"Airlines are responding to Melbourne's growing importance and they are recognising the advantages of our airport. Air India recently announced its entry into the Australian market with a daily Melbourne-Dehli service from November, and both Air China and China Southern will increase to daily services later this year.
"In addition, AirAsia X has increased to twice daily services from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur, Emirates has increased capacity to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and Jetstar will introduce daily services from Melbourne to Singapore in December," he said.