Melbourne Airport records record-breaking international passenger growth

BOOMING Melbourne Airport has experienced a record-breaking growth in international passenger numbers — but has warned a rail connection to the airport is needed in the future.

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BOOMING Melbourne Airport has experienced a record-breaking 100 consecutive months of growth in international passenger numbers — but has warned a rail connection to the airport is needed in the future.

The unbeaten run of growth dates back to April 2009 with domestic passenger numbers hitting more than 2.24 million for last month, beating the ­previous record by more than 30,000 travellers.

Last month, more than 931,000 people flew internationally, compared with 870,000 a year earlier — a jump of almost 7 per cent.

Melbourne Airport has experienced a record-breaking 100 consecutive months of growth in international passenger numbers. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lyell Strambi said the long-term trend of consistently strong growth in passenger volumes was only going to continue, creating demand for more capacity during the airport’s morning and afternoon peaks.

“Melbourne’s rapidly growing population, and its attractiveness to international visitors, is combining to drive passenger volumes higher month after month,” Mr Strambi said.

The airport plays a major role in the economy, as each daily international ­service injects between $100 million and $150 million into Victoria a year.

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Mr Strambi said it was ­crucial to ensure the airport was never a constraint on Melbourne’s, or Victoria’s, prosperity.

“Over the next decade we will invest, on average, more than half a billion dollars per year, every year, to improve, maintain and grow this essential piece of Victorian infrastructure,” he added.

“The most important part of that investment will be building our third runway, which will increase capacity from our current limit of around 55 movements per hour to more than 90 movements per hour.

“That capacity growth will be essential for us to welcome new carriers into the Melbourne market as more international airlines fly direct to Melbourne, or increase the ­frequency of existing services.

“In addition to runway ­capacity, our growth is going to demand ongoing investment in airport ground access, and we are passionate advocates for the need to invest in a rail connection to the airport.”

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