www.news.com.au
Daryl Passmore
April 29, 2007 12:00am
CAIRNS: Cairns is one of Australia's busiest regional airports. The number of domestic and international passengers rose from 1.5 million in 2002-03 to 1.87 million in 2005-06.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairman Stephen Olle said Japan, Britain, Europe and the US were still the main sources of international passengers.
But it is keen to develop the emerging markets of China, India and Korea by increasing direct flights in the next few years.
Cairns' relative proximity to Asia could make it attractive to low-cost operators such as AirAsiaX looking to break into Australia.
A $140 million redevelopment of the domestic terminal is under way to improve check-in and baggage claim facilities and $40 million has been earmarked to expand the international arrivals hall and retail areas.