Australian air passenger numbers are expected to grow four percent a year for the next twenty years – putting airports under increasing strain, a newly-released report says.
The report, Passenger Movements Through Capital City Airports to 2025-26, released by Federal Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese, shows air passenger movements will grow by four percent a year to reach 227.9 million by 2025-26.
Albanese says the largest forecast growth is expected in Perth, likely to reach 17.7m passengers by 2025-26.
Albanese says the report's long-term predictions pose a fundamental issue for the government and aviation industry to increase their capacity, the Australian Business reports.
"Already many of our major airports are operating at close to capacity during peak times; pilots, engineers and air-traffic controllers are in short supply; flight delays and cancellations are becoming more frequent; and planes account for at least two percent of global greenhouse gas emissions," Albanese says.
"More than ever, there is a need for national leadership and a national strategy for aviation, one which looks to the long-term, and closely links the development of aviation to the economic development of the nation."
By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh
