Australian domestic pax reaches record 55 million in FY2012

Australia's Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (BITRE) reported (13-Sep-2012) domestic air passenger numbers increased 0.4% year-on-year to a record 55.0 million in the 12 months ended 30-Jun-2012. According to the BITRE, apart from the period immediately following the global financial crisis, domestic passenger numbers have grown consistently since mid-2002, growing by an average 6.1% p/a over the past decade. In FY2012, Sydney remained Australia's busiest domestic airport with 24.2 million passengers followed by Melbourne with 21.4 million passengers and Brisbane with 16.4 million passengers. Melbourne-Sydney remained Australia's busiest route with 7.7 million passengers, followed by Brisbane-Sydney with 4.4 million passengers and then Brisbane-Melbourne with 3.2 million passengers. The greatest percentage increase in passenger traffic, compared with the year ending Jun-2011, occurred on routes to/from Perth. Details include:

• Passenger numbers: 55.0 million, +0.4% year-on-year;
• Load factor: 78.8%, +0.1 ppt;
• Aircraft trips: 615,200, +0.7%. [more - original PR]