Launceston Airport has recorded the busiest May in the airport’s history with more than 100,000 passengers welcomed through the terminal.
It’s the ninth time in twelve months the airport has seen record passenger numbers with 108,230 people travelling through Launceston last month, up 3.2 per cent on last year.
Despite airline capacity reductions across the month, overall passenger numbers continued to climb with travellers being re-accommodated on other services.
Link Airways’ commencement of direct services in May to Canberra added to the record numbers with strong demand for the new route.
This week Launceston Airport is hosting an air service development round table supported by Business Events Tasmania and Tourism Tasmania.
Key tourism, government and aviation stakeholders are in attendance for the three-day event along with representatives from several domestic and international airlines as well as fifteen Australian and New Zealand Airports.
Launceston Airport CEO Katie Cooper said the passenger numbers for May reflected years of hard work and planning.
“To be setting passenger records in the current climate is a testament to the work we’ve done as an airport alongside Tourism Tasmania and the state government to attract and retain airline investment in Launceston,” she said.
“Last month we welcomed our fifth carrier in Link Airways with services to Canberra, unlocking another direct link to the mainland, which we know passengers prefer, at the same time we’re seeing strong demand for our existing services.
“Launceston has so much to offer, and events like this week’s aviation roundtable give airports like ours along with our tourism agencies, the opportunity to showcase our region to our airline partners.
“Aircraft are the world’s most portable assets, and it takes a team to convince airlines to point them in your direction which is why the support of Tourism Tasmania along with the state government is so important.”
Tourism Tasmania CEO, Sarah Kingston Clark said the RoundTable was a great platform
to drive positive outcomes for tourism in the state.
“Tasmania's connection to the rest of the world runs through its airports. As an island
state, aviation access is fundamental, not just for tourism but for Tasmanians,” she said.
“Hosting the Ailevon Roundtable here in Launceston with aviation professionals and
decision makers from across Australia and the South West Pacific is a genuine
opportunity to work through shared challenges and explore what's ahead for route
development together."
For further information contact: Launceston Airport Media on (03) 9335 3666