Airport traffic to increase with developments

The City of Albany claims it will be prepared for the expected significant increase to the number of passengers coming through Albany Regional Airport in the next five years.

Picture by Malcolm Heberle

Passenger numbers in and out of Albany have jumped from about 45,000 in 2005 to about 58,000 in 2011, an increase of almost 30 per cent.

The figures reflect the general findings of a Federal Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics report, which found passenger movements through regional airports have grown at a faster rate than major airports since 2005.

City tourism development and services manager Matthew Bird said Albany’s airport was entering a growth phase driven by future projects and events such as the 2014 Anzac commemorations, the proposed Grange Resources iron ore mine and the potential for Albany as a fly-in fly-out base for mining companies.

Mr Bird said the City was preparing a Visitor Destination Development Strategy as well as an Albany Airport Master Plan to plan for the future growth.

A security upgrade at the airport will be implemented by July this year to comply with Federal legislation requiring upgraded baggage screening at all airports.

The City has received Federal funding assistance for the upgrade, but it was recently announced the costs of ongoing security staffing and maintenance would be borne by passengers with a $20 increase to the passenger levy.

The charge has proved controversial, with a view among locals that Skywest ticket prices were already high.

But Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said the ongoing costs needed to be recouped somehow and it was fairer for passengers to bear the cost than ratepayers.

Tenders for security equipment and security providers for the upgrade have been received and will be approved at a special meeting of council on April 3.

keir.tunbridge@albanyadvertiser.com