Growth in passenger numbers supported by tourism promotion and further investment at Launceston Airport

Passenger volumes through Northern Tasmania’s aviation gateway grew five percent during the first quarter of the financial year, compared to the prior year.

Launceston Airport General Manager Paul Hodgen said while Launceston punches above its weight in attracting visitors to the state, it was important that the local tourism industry not become complacent.

“Tourism is a growth industry right across Australia, and while we’ve seen terrific growth in passenger numbers so far this year, the reality is every state is investing heavily in capturing the hearts and minds of travellers seeking a new destination.

“Living and working in Northern Tasmania every day, we understand that our iconic attractions really do speak for themselves once you’re here.

“But we absolutely must continue to work together as an industry – airlines, airport, city and regional destinations – to put Launceston on the map and ensure we keep bringing visitors into the region,” said Mr Hodgen.

The airport, through its major customer Jetstar, will be making a major investment in helping to attract even stronger growth in the New Year with a new destination marketing campaign set to launch during summer.

The campaign will see a liveried Jetstar aircraft, featuring imagery from Northern Tasmania on its exterior, flying on domestic Jetstar routes early in 2019, with overhead locker and seat-back table branding to follow.

Other material will see northern Tasmania video content featured on in-flight entertainment on Jetstar international aircraft, and a 16-page “Destination Launceston” booklet as reading material onboard aircraft.

Back on the ground, the airport’s rental car operators are also gearing up for further growth with a project to expand and enhance facilities for rental car customers due to kick off in January.

The project will see a 20 percent expansion in available car rental “ready-bays” with three operators establishing ‘service pods’ in the car park to house rental staff who will assist customers with car hire and return. Having staff based out in the car park as well as in the existing office locations, combined with additional bays, improved access and bay-finding arrangements, is expected to make customer journeys through the airport even faster. Covered walkways to the terminal will also be installed as part of a program of enhancements.

“We’re really pleased that our car rental partners recognise the potential future growth ahead of us, and we’re excited to be working with great brands like Jetstar to help Launceston achieve that potential,” said Mr Hodgen.