CITY FLIES HIGH
RECORD NUMBERS THROUGH AIRPORT
INCREASED services to Townsville Airport have had an immediate impact with record numbers of passengers moving through the terminal last month.
Boosted by the introduction of Tigerair flights between Melbourne and Townsville in June, the airport catered for 158,000 passen- gers last month, up by more than 6 per cent on last year’s total.
The numbers have added weight to a push for the airport’s redevelopment, delayed by a reluctance from Qantas to help fund it through a $ 3 passenger charge.
TOWNSVILLE Airport has recorded its biggest month ever for passenger movements, with an influx in southern visitors being credited for the uptick.
More than 158,000 people moved through the terminal in July, up by more than 6 per cent from last July’s 149,500 passengers.
Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said Tigerair’s services to Melbourne, which started on June 22, had contributed to July’s positive result.
“Tigerair’s strong early performance has been driven by inbound demand from Melbourne residents who have responded to the first stage of the marketing campaign currently under way in Victoria,” he said.
“Approximately 75 per cent of Tigerair’s passengers are inbound to Townsville and our hotels and tourism operators are reporting the positive impact of these visitors to our region, many of whom are visiting for the first time.”
Townsville Enterprise tourism and events manager Bridget Woods said the figures reflected feedback they had been receiving from the community.
“Magnetic Island operators are calling Townsville Enterprise saying they’ve had a lot of people through from Melbourne,” she said. “Magnetic Island is a huge drawcard, particularly at this time of year when it’s pretty cold down south and we’ve got perfect weather.”
The record passenger numbers come as negotiations between Townsville Airport and Qantas over a passenger charge increase intended to partially fund a major redevelopment continue to draw out.
The proposed $ 3 increase to domestic passenger charges has proved a sticking point in negotiations, with Qantas previously citing a downward trend in Townsville Airport passenger numbers as a concern.
“Off the back of this result we anticipate strong performance in the year ahead and look forward to expanding our airport to cater for this,” Mr Gill said.
Suzie Thomas was among the travellers taking advantage of the Tigerair services to Melbourne yesterday.
Ms Thomas is a program manager at Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre in Western Australia and is based in Townsville when she’s not working.
She said the Tigerair services to Melbourne had made her life easier.
“When I’m not in the desert I try to take six weeks off every three or four months and during that time I travel along the east coast,” she said.
“I have a few days rest and then I fly back over.
“I’ve just come from Melbourne to Townsville and it’s great to be able to come direct.
“The flight was fully booked. I think it’s popular.”