Published Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Mackay Airport services record number of passengers
Hay Point has maintained its status as the world’s largest coal export port while the Mackay Airport has boosted passenger traffic by 13 per cent.
The Ports Corporation of Queensland and Mackay Port Authority annual reports, tabled by Transport Minister John Mickel in Queensland Parliament today, shows coal exports and airline passenger numbers are on the rise in the Mackay-Whitsundays.
Mr Mickel said 86.2 million tonnes of coal was moved through Hay Point near Mackay in 2006-‘07.
Meanwhile, an increase in air services to Mackay resulted in a surge in the number of passengers passing through the airport last financial year.
Mr Mickel said Mackay was now Australia's eighth biggest regional airport.
"The airport handled a record 740,787 passengers in 2006-07, an increase of 13 per cent over the previous year," he said.
"Tiger Airways started direct services from Melbourne in November and Virgin Blue is increasing its services.
"These new services and routes have resulted from the Mackay Port Authority's commitment to promoting the Mackay-Whitsunday region as a major, growing tourist destination."
The authority's 2006-07 annual report has been tabled in state parliament.
It records that the total cargo movement at the city's seaport for the year was up 10 per cent for the year and 53 per cent for the past five years.
"Towage has been boosted at the port, which will improve its capability to handle larger vessels, as well as consolidating safety and preparedness for responding to incidents," Mr Mickel said.
The Mackay Port Authority has a significant role in the regional economy by providing transport services through both the Mackay airport and seaport.
Fast facts from the Mackay Port Authority 2006-07 annual report
• Mackay Airport handled 6189 jets, 3325 commuter aircraft, 2124 tonnes of cargo and 740,787 passengers during 2006-07.
• Mackay Seaport handled 2,307,605 tonnes of cargo for the year.
• Mackay Port Authority owns over 1100ha of strategic port land and property.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 14, 2007
The Ports Corporation of Queensland and Mackay Port Authority annual reports, tabled by Transport Minister John Mickel in Queensland Parliament today, shows coal exports and airline passenger numbers are on the rise in the Mackay-Whitsundays.
Mr Mickel said 86.2 million tonnes of coal was moved through Hay Point near Mackay in 2006-‘07.
Meanwhile, an increase in air services to Mackay resulted in a surge in the number of passengers passing through the airport last financial year.
Mr Mickel said Mackay was now Australia's eighth biggest regional airport.
"The airport handled a record 740,787 passengers in 2006-07, an increase of 13 per cent over the previous year," he said.
"Tiger Airways started direct services from Melbourne in November and Virgin Blue is increasing its services.
"These new services and routes have resulted from the Mackay Port Authority's commitment to promoting the Mackay-Whitsunday region as a major, growing tourist destination."
The authority's 2006-07 annual report has been tabled in state parliament.
It records that the total cargo movement at the city's seaport for the year was up 10 per cent for the year and 53 per cent for the past five years.
"Towage has been boosted at the port, which will improve its capability to handle larger vessels, as well as consolidating safety and preparedness for responding to incidents," Mr Mickel said.
The Mackay Port Authority has a significant role in the regional economy by providing transport services through both the Mackay airport and seaport.
Fast facts from the Mackay Port Authority 2006-07 annual report
• Mackay Airport handled 6189 jets, 3325 commuter aircraft, 2124 tonnes of cargo and 740,787 passengers during 2006-07.
• Mackay Seaport handled 2,307,605 tonnes of cargo for the year.
• Mackay Port Authority owns over 1100ha of strategic port land and property.
Media contact: Chris Brown (07) 3237 1944 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
November 14, 2007