Melbourne Airport has continued its strong international passenger growth for the third quarter of FY2010/11, recording an 11 per cent increase over the same quarter in 2009-10.
A total of 1,662,462 international passengers passed through Melbourne’ Airport in the third quarter, up 163,314 on the same period in 2010. Domestic traffic in the third quarter was also up, but at a slower three per cent growth rate compared to 2010, to 5,326,056 passengers. This brings the total number of passengers (international and domestic) for the quarter to 6,948,518, a five per cent increase compared to the same quarter in 2009-10.
“Our passenger growth for the third quarter was driven predominantly by our key Asian markets including China, India, South Korea and the Philippines. These markets, in particular China, have grown consistently and significantly during the quarter,” Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said.
“China is one of the fastest growing markets in Australia. As our number one long haul market and growing by 23 per cent for the quarter, it is also without a doubt, the most significant growth market for us,” Woodruff noted.
Woodruff said that the introduction of Strategic Airlines and Royal Brunei to Melbourne Airport, as well as a major events such as Formula 1 and the Australian Open, had all contributed to the strong international passenger growth.
