Whitsunday Coast Airport has delivered its best result on record for the 2014/2015 financial year with 282,500 passengers utilising the facility and giving an increase of 16.7% on the previous year.
Mayor Cr Jennifer Whitney said the growth potential of the Whitsunday Coast Airport is evident with the airport’s past 4 financial year’s passenger numbers growing by 31%.
“Over the past 4 years, our flight services have grown from 14 return services per week to 31 return services per week; that’s an incredible achievement,” Mayor Whitney said.
“Growth is forecast to continue at a double digit rate due to the introduction of direct Jetstar Melbourne services. This service is expected to grow in frequency as passenger loads have been strong since the flight’s commencement,” she said.
“Tigerair’s flights from Sydney have grown from 3 to 4 flights per week while the Brisbane services provided by Virgin Australia and Jetstar remain the key route for the airport,
“The Whitsunday Coast Airport is the most significant piece of infrastructure in the Whitsunday
region to drive economic and tourism growth in the future,
“Council’s vision to develop the Whitsunday Coast Airport International Export Hub is now our primary focus as it will secure the future prosperity of our region,
“Congratulations must go to our airline partners, ground crew, all stake holders and airport staff for all their hard work during the airport’s best year on record.
The key achievements of the airport for the Financial Year are as follows:
• The 2014/15FY was the best year on record for the Whitsunday Coast Airport with in excess of 282 000 passengers passing through the facility, growing by 40 000 passengers
or 16.7%
• The Whitsunday Coast Airport International Export Hub Project commenced in partnership with the State Government of Queensland
• Tiger Air increased services between Sydney and the Whitsunday Coast
• Jetstar Airways introduced services between Melbourne and the Whitsunday Coast
• Both Virgin Australia and Jetstar Airways maintained capacity between Brisbane and the Whitsunday Coast
• As the owner and operator of the Whitsunday Coast Airport, Council took over operations as the Security Screening Point Authority at the Airport, taking overall responsibility for
security at the airport
• An $800 000.00 upgrade of the Airfield Ground Lighting was completed on time and within budget, the method of delivery was presented to the Australia Airports Association Airfield
Lighting and Pavements Conference in Sydney by the Airport Operations Manager
• October was the best month on record with in excess of 26 000 passengers passing through the airport
• Jetstar Airways celebrated its 10th Birthday and 10 years of flying to the Whitsunday Coast, with a special lunch hosted by Council and the region’s tourism industry, to celebrate the
milestone with Jetstar’s Chief Executive Officer – Mr David Hall
• The Whitsunday Coast Airport won the Local Government Award Tourism and Business at the Whitsunday Tourism Awards
• There was an upgrade of Terminal and Car Parking facilities for the comfort of passengers
this included the introduction of free Wi-Fi for passengers
• On the last day of the financial year the airport welcomed the mighty Queensland Maroons
State of Origin Team for their regional fan day in Proserpine
WHITSUNDAY COAST AIRPORT END OF FINANCIALYEAR PASSENGER NUMBERS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
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