[Yada Yada]

Here are three interesting and related stories about international air traffic into and out of our two largest airports.

Originally Posted by smh.com.au

Traffic, profit up at Sydney Airport
Scott Rochfort
July 20, 2006

SYDNEY Airport has reported its strongest traffic growth in more than a year, dousing concerns the sluggish NSW economy and airline ticket fuel surcharges might be starting to curtail passenger demand.

Australia's largest airport reported a 5.6 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers for June to 2.5 million, thanks largely to the 10 per cent increase in the number of Australians travelling overseas and the surge in year-on-year domestic traffic.

Traffic, profit up at Sydney Airport - Business - Business - smh.com.au

Originally Posted by smh.com.au

Fewer happy landings for Melbourne Airport
Rod Myer
July 22, 2006

INTERNATIONAL passenger growth at Melbourne Airport has slowed to a trickle following the withdrawal of flights by British Airways and the effects of aircraft shortages and high fuel prices on other international operators.

Last financial year, international passenger numbers grew by 2 per cent to 4.38 million, compared with growth of 15 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, in the two previous years.

Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Barlow said low growth in international traffic would affect the state economy. "This decline in international passenger growth will impact on Victoria's business and tourism industries as well as the broader economy," he said.

Fewer happy landings for Melbourne Airport - Business - Business - theage.com.au

Originally Posted by smh.com.au

Austrian Airlines looks at halting flights to Australia
Scott Rochfort
July 24, 2006

AUSTRALIA could soon be left with no continental European airlines flying to its shores, with Austrian Airlines considering the possible suspension of services to Sydney and Melbourne.

Due to the recent surge in aviation fuel prices, the part state-owned carrier is now reviewing all its long-haul routes, the longest being Sydney.

"It is one of our routes that is under review," confirmed Austrian Airlines spokeswoman Livia Dandrea-Böhm.

However, she said any talk of the carrier exiting Australia at this stage was "really just speculation".

Since the early 1990s mainland European carriers which have stopped flying to Australia include: Olympic Airways, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Alitalia, France's Air Outre Mer and Jat Yugoslav Airlines.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be the last remaining European carriers if Austrian pulls out.

But with BA recently withdrawing from Melbourne, the long-term future of the airline's services to Sydney are also under a cloud.

The European exodus is not just related to fuel costs. There are now 16 Asian and Middle Eastern airlines servicing the Australia-Europe run and the intense competition has forced even Qantas to scale back services to the mainland Europe.

Austrian Airlines looks at halting flights to Australia - Business - Business

[serfty]

Originally Posted by Yada Yada

Here are three interesting and related stories about international air traffic into and out of our two largest airports.

Interesting spins on growth rates ...

SYD shows a rate for one particular month of nearly 6% when compared to 12 months earlier... yay!

MEL shows a rate for a thirty-six month period with a 12 month average of over 10%... boo hiss!