record numbers of passengers

Melbourne airport sees record numbers
November 23, 2008, 12:15 pm
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A record number of travellers passed through Melbourne Airport in October despite the global financial crisis.

The airport was used by 2,191,175 passengers, a jump of 140,302 or 6.8 per cent on September.

October was a busy month for Melbourne with major events including the Spring Racing Carnival, Melbourne Winter Masterpieces art series, a Rugby League World Cup match, and the musical WICKED.

Sydney recorded growth of 0.8 per cent or 23,594, according to Victorian government figures.

The previous best month at the airport was in March with 2,171,739 passengers, coinciding with the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The figures come on the first anniversary of budget airline Tiger Airways' launch in Melbourne .

Melbourne was the "major events capital of the world" and the state was bucking the downward national trend for tourism, Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said.

"Growing visitor numbers are a testament to the strength of the Victorian tourism industry, which provides jobs for almost 180,000 people and contributes $15 billion to our economy each year," he said.