From The West today:
Geoffrey Thomas, Aviation Editor, The West Australian
Perth Airport set a record for passenger numbers last month when 1.24 million people took to the skies, indicating economic conditions are on the rise again.
The record is a 17 per cent jump on the previous month and almost 5 per cent above the same month last year. Plane movements, at 13,265, were the second highest on record.
Airline traffic is the leading economic indicator of the health of an economy and just as WA remained resilient in the global financial crisis of 2008-09, it appears the State's economy has shrugged off the Australian downturn.
The figures do not include all passengers using the Skippers Aviation, Maroomba Airlines, Cobham and Network Aviation terminals which could number 80,000 travellers month.
Perth Airport has enjoyed an extraordinary growth average of 9 per cent a year since 1960.
The resurgence of passenger traffic underscores the need for a third runway to meet business generated not only by the resources sector, but also the continued heavy demand for holiday travel interstate and overseas.
Last month, Perth Airport announced fast-tracked negotiations with airlines over the third runway, which will cost about $480 million.
Commenting on a fall in passenger traffic in the first half of this year, airport chief executive Brad Geatches said the "growth rates do not alter Perth Airport's redevelopment plans".
"Our view is that the third runway project should proceed without delay," he said.
"For long lead infrastructure, it is necessary to look through the cycle to ensure capacity is available when it is needed."
A final proposal on a runway parallel to the main one should be presented to airlines within two months. The airport has two runways that cross and cannot be used simultaneously, though they are used alternately in the right wind conditions.
A third parallel runway would virtually eliminate delays and future-proof the airport, Mr Geatches said.
In the interim, Perth Airport is implementing recommendations from a report by Britain's air traffic control provider.
These changes combined with improvements by Airservices Australia will make traffic flows and runway throughput more efficient.
Last year, Airservices said that only a 50 per cent increase in runway capacity would solve the airport's peak needs.
The airport is virtually at peak capacity between 5.15am and 7am Monday to Thursday.
The third runway project should proceed without delay." Perth Airport chief executive Brad Geatches
