Melbourne Tullamarine Airport pax up 5% in 2012, strong int'l growth continues

Australia's Melbourne Tullamarine Airport CEO Chris Woodruff reported (18-Jan-2013) continuing international passenger growth and increased capacity on domestic services saw passenger numbers at the airport surpass 29 million in 2012, an increase of 5% year-on-year. International passenger numbers increased by 6% to 6.9 million with strong growth from countries including New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, India, Sri Lanka an Vietnam. Domestic traffic increased 5% to 22.3 million. In Dec-2012, international passengers increased 5% to 668,283 passengers. Australian passport holders increased by 3% while domestic passengers increased by 8% 2.0 million. [more - original PR]

Melbourne Airport: "During the year, airlines introduced significant capacity increases on domestic routes which stimulated demand. We see domestic capacity growth continuing, and passengers are certainly making the most of the competitive market, particularly in the last few months of 2012. Throughout the year we completed a number of key infrastructure projects, including facility and road improvements, to support our growth and we are actively planning for our future growth in the years and decades ahead," Chris Woodruff, CEO. Source: Company statement, 18-Jan-2013.