The Minister for Infrastucture and Transport, Anthony Albanese, has commented on the latest data for aviation in Australia. More then 86 million passengers flew domestically and internationally from Australian airports. This is a 4.5 per cent increase on 2011.
Passenger growth in Australia was more then 3 times the rate of the United States. International travel grew by 5.2 per cent with the stand out performances China-Australia which increased 15.6 per cent, Japan-Australia which increased 11 per cent and Australia-Singapore 9 per cent. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Australia and the Philippines to allow direct international flights between Avalon and the Philippines has been signed. It is expected to lead to Avalon Airport being developed as a second International Airport in Melbourne.
Domestic passenger numbers grew by 4.1 per cent with 2 million more passengers carried during 2012 over the numbers in 2011. The greatest increase was Melbourne-Perth which grew 14.8 per cent, Cairns-Melbourne up 15.3 per cent and Perth to Port Hedland which grew at 33 per cent.
Sydney-Melbourne and Sydney-Brisbane continue to be the two busiest domestic routes in the country.
BITRE's International and Domestic reports can be downloaded from www.bitre.gov.au
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2013/April/aa076_2013.aspx
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2013/April/aa075_2013.aspx for media releases.