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Melbourne Airport achieves 5 per cent total passenger growth in January

Direct News Source

Melbourne Airport achieves 5 per cent total passenger growth in January

20-Feb-2013

Melbourne Airport's passenger numbers increased by 5 per cent during January to reach 2,619,277 passengers for the month.
International passenger numbers were up by 2 per cent to 679,429 passengers.

Passenger numbers from key Asian growth markets such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan were affected by the Chinese New Year holiday period falling outside the month, which should be reflected in figures for February.

Traditional markets such as the United Kingdom and the United States showed better performance in January, with increases of 7 per cent each. Travel by Australian passport holders increased by 2 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Melbourne Airport CEO, Mr Chris Woodruff said that Melbourne Airport celebrated its 100th millionth international passenger during January since the airport opened in 1970.

"We'll be celebrating another significant milestone in our international passenger growth later this month, when we welcome the first direct flight by Sichuan Airlines from Chengdu to Melbourne, arriving on 28 February."

"This will be the first direct air service between Australia and the booming western China region, reaffirming Melbourne Airport's leading role in the development of aviation links with China which has underpinned the strong growth in visitor numbers from China," Mr Woodruff said.
Domestic passengers increased by 6 per cent for the month, to reach 1,939,848 passengers.