86 million passengers flew domestically and internationally in Australia in 2012, recording a 4.5 per cent increase from 2011.

Australia outstripped other countries, including the United States which registered a 1.3 per cent increase in passenger numbers over the same period.

“Increases in travel in and out of Australian airports show the strength of Australia’s economy,” Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said.

“The number of international passengers travelling through Australia’s airports grew 5.2 per cent in 2012.”

Of the top 10 countries with flight links to Australia, three out of the four fastest growing markets were in Asia, with passenger numbers between China and Australia growing by 15.6 per cent, Japan over 11 per cent and Singapore by more than 9 per cent.

The number of passengers carried on domestic flights grew by over 2 million, or 4.1 per cent on 2011, with most of the growth occurring between major capital cities. A number of routes to our regional centres also experienced rapid growth.

“For example, Melbourne to Perth was up 14.8 per cent, Cairns to Melbourne was up 15.3 per cent and Perth to Port Hedland grew more than 33.6 per cent,” Mr Albanese said.