RECORD PASSENGER NUMBERS FOR ADELAIDE AIRPORT DESPITE DOWNTURN
A record number of passengers travelled through Adelaide Airport in 2008/09, despite the effects of the economic downturn.
Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) Managing Director, Phil Baker, releasing the airport’s Annual Report, said close to 6.9 million passengers flew in and out of Adelaide Airport in 2008/09, an increase
of 154,000 passengers compared with the previous year.
“While not immune to the negative influences resulting from the Global Financial Crisis, which saw the annual rate of growth slow markedly, Adelaide Airport’s overall traffic still increased by 2.3 per cent. This was the second best result of all Australian capital city airports,” Mr Baker said.
“Domestic passenger numbers increased 2.9 per cent in 2008/09 due in part to the expansion of trunk routes, particularly from low cost carriers Tiger and Jetstar, and the reintroduction of a twice weekly QantasLink services to Kalgoorlie.
“International traffic increased 0.3 per cent, boosted by the re-introduction of services to Bali from December 2008 and a new service to Fiji, both by Pacific Blue in its first year of operations originating in Adelaide.
“Regional passenger numbers fell 2.7 per cent over the same period, predominantly due to a significant reduction in charter activity connected with exploration in the mineral resources sector.
“At Parafield Airport the local flight training establishments, buoyed by a significant number of students from foreign airlines, have continued to do well despite the current global situation.”
Mr Baker said AAL’s focus over the next 12 months will be to prepare for the anticipated recovery and upturn in demand, and to take advantage of the continued relative strength of South Australia’s economy and in particular growth sectors such as defence and mining.
He said AAL had continued planning for a new multi-level car park and associated internal road re-alignment with work expected to commence by the end of the current financial year.
Other projects planned for Adelaide Airport include a terminal expansion, a potential office building and a new control tower to be constructed by Airservices Australia.
AAL will also host the Routes Asia aviation networking forum at the Adelaide Convention Centre in April 2010. The event is expected to attract many of the key route planning decision makers from around the region, and will present an excellent opportunity to showcase Adelaide’s tourism and aviation infrastructure.
http://www.aal.com.au 
