Launceston airport operations and compliance manager Paul Hodgen and planning and environment manager Stephen Douglas discuss the record passenger numbers. Picture: WILL SWAN
LAUNCESTON Airport passenger numbers have hit a record as the transport centre also moves to increase freight volumes.
Airport general manager Pamela Graham said yesterday that passenger numbers at the airport between September and December last year were 324,017, a 9 per cent increase on the same period in 2011.
The total number of passengers for the year to December 31 last year was 1,166,946 people, 4 per cent up on the previous year.
``Summer is traditionally our busy period and, like previous years, airlines have increased their capacity to cater for demand,'' Ms Graham said.
She also said the $6 million southern freight apron upgrade at the southern end of the passenger terminal was now complete, meaning the airport had increased freight capacity.
The project involved laying 10,000 square metres of concrete to allow for two new aircraft parking bays and improve the durability and load-bearing capacity of the existing pavement.
She said the work positioned Launceston for freight growth and supported the redevelopment and expansion of the Australian Air Express hangar, the airport's major freight operator.
Sharp Airlines, which flies to Bass Strait islands, has also increased its freight options by offering expanded pickup and delivery services.
The airline opened a new terminal at the airport in October.