Australia deputy PM: 'Australians love to fly', growth rate 'the envy of the world'

Australia's deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese, speaking at the CAPA Australia Pacific Aviation Summit, noted (07-Aug-2013) the reliance Australians have on air travel, stating: "The statistics are clear - Australians love to fly. We took 57 million trips within our country last year. And a further 16.5 million international flights. Not bad for a nation of 23 million. Domestically, growth is a healthy four per cent - a rate that is the envy of the world. Growth is about six times as strong as the US and UK markets". He also noted the potential for aviation due to Australia's proximity to Asia, stating: "With the growing Asian middle class right on our doorstep, there is no sense that things are going backwards anytime soon.Indeed, we're well placed to take advantage of Asia's growth". [more - original PR]