WA Visitor numbers up 15% in September quarter: Airport

International Passenger numbers at Perth Airport were up 22 per cent in the first quarter of the 2007-08 financial year, a jump widely attributed to a strong state economy and increased seat capacity on new airlines.

While international passenger numbers hit 612,699, domestic passenger numbers also rose, up 13 per cent to 1.6 million for the July-September period 2007.

The results were up 15 per cent on the same quarter in the previous period, a growth rate Perth Airport chief executive Brad Geatches said was unmatched in other major city airports across the nation.

"With Tiger Airways commencing domestic services to Perth in November and Jetstar's recent announcement of an additional service, also starting in November, we expect further domestic growth as Western Australians take advantage of lower fares to the East Coast," Mr Geatches said.

The full text of an announcement from Perth Airport is pasted below

Perth Airport has recorded unprecedented growth in passenger numbers in the first quarter of financial year 2007/08.

Perth Airport CEO, Brad Geatches said the result was outstanding and a further demonstration of the very strong economic conditions globally, nationally and in Western Australia.

"We had a total of 2,215,088 passengers fly in and out of Perth Airport in the September quarter, up more than 15% compared to the same quarter last financial year, our growth rate is unmatched compared with other major city airports around the country.

"Both the international and domestic growth rates were in double digits. International passengers were up by more than 22% and domestic passenger numbers continued to climb, up 13% in the period.

"The strong WA economy continues to have a positive effect on our results. A number of airlines have significantly increased their seat capacity in the period, including Emirates, Garuda, Thai Airways, Air Mauritius and new entrant Tiger Airways, boosting the international figures," Mr Geatches said.

"With Tiger Airways commencing domestic services to Perth in November and Jetstar's recent announcement of an additional service, also starting in November, we expect further domestic growth as Western Australians take advantage of lower fares to the East Coast."

Mr Geatches said the outlook for passenger growth at Perth Airport continues to be positive with more airlines providing more services to travellers who will continue to benefit from the increased travel options available to them.

In responding to the growth in demand, Westralia Airports Corporation, the operator of Perth Airport continues to progress its plans to undertake a major redevelopment of the airport with important airline consultation being undertaken in October.

"We are investing in airfield, terminals and car parking to continue to meet the burgeoning demand for airport services.

"Recently we opened our new long term car park at the domestic terminals which has doubled the number of long term car bays available to patrons of this popular product," said Mr Geatches.

In September, Qantas announced a $50 million upgrade of its domestic terminals at Perth Airport and Westralia Airports Corporation is making similar sized investments in infrastructure over the next 12 months.

A summary table of the September quarter results follows.

Perth Airport Passenger Numbers
FY 2007/08 v FY 2006/07 September Quarter