Austrian Airlines flies out (original) (raw)

By Stephen Moynihan

January 24, 2007 — 11.00am

MELBOURNE Airport will lose its only European-based airline in March when Austrian Airlines pulls out.

The flag carrier announced plans to restructure its long-haul fleet and Melbourne was among those that lost services.

The airline's decision has added pressure to the capacity issue at Melbourne airport, which has seen a drop of 500,000 international seats since 2005.

Airport general manager Geoffrey Conaghan said that over the past decade Melbourne had recorded the best international passenger growth of any big Australian airport due to an increase in seat capacity.

On Monday, the airline's latest passenger figures revealed high growth in domestic numbers while international passenger figures were stagnant.

Mr Conaghan said more had to be done between the Federal Government and airlines to increase flights into Melbourne.

Dubai-based Emirates wants to increase flights to Australia but has been denied. New Middle East carrier Etihad has been given approval for four flights a week, but these are widely tipped to fly to Sydney. Another Middle East carrier Qatar Airways wants access to Melbourne.

Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Wayne Kayler-Thompson said there needed to be a more liberalised approach to the Government's transport policy to let more foreign carriers into Australia.

He said Victorian's tourism industry should not be sacrificed for increased international flights to Sydney, which handles almost half of all international traffic in the country.

Victorian Opposition spokesman for industry and state development David Davis said Melbourne's capacity would only fully develop when inbound international flights were not hindered by restrictions that favour Qantas and Sydney.

WHERE WE LIKE TO GO

Most popular international desinations for Melbourne tourists:

Austrian Airlines flies out (original) (raw)

By Stephen Moynihan

Most Viewed in National