PDF: 5191 KB - Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional ...

Chapter 2 | Historical trends in regional aviationPassenger movements at regional airports rose from 8.5 million in 1984 to 17.5million in 2005, an average annual growth rate of 3.5 per cent. Notably, withrecovery from the post-Ansett collapse downturn in 2001, the annual growth ratewas 18.3 per cent from 2003 to 2004 and 14 per cent from 2004 to 2005.2. Number of regional airports• A downward trend for the number of regional airports served by airlines.The total number of regional airports served by airlines declined from 278 in 1984to 170 in 2005.3. Distribution of passenger movements by the ASGC Remoteness Classification• The number of passenger movements in every remoteness area class ofregional Australia exhibits an upward trend.The number of passenger movements at regional airports have consistently beenhigher in inner and outer regional Australia than in remote and very remoteAustralia.4. Distribution of regional airports by the ASGC Remoteness Area Classification• The number of regional airports served in every remoteness area class ofregional Australia exhibits a general downward trend.Over the past 22 years, very remote Australia experienced the greatest reductionin the number of regional airports served by airlines, followed by remote Australia,outer regional Australia and inner regional Australia. Despite the significant fallover time, there remains a higher number of airports in very remote Australia thanin other ASGC Remoteness classes of regional areas.The increase in passenger movements at regional airports coupled with thedecline in the number of regional airports over the years, resulted in a pronouncedupward trend in the average annual passenger movements per regional airport.5. Airlines serving regional airports.• The number of airlines serving regional airports displays a generaldownward trend.The level of market concentration in the industry has increased over time. In 1984,regional airports were served by 52 airlines and processed 8.5 million revenuepassengers. In 2005, regional airports were served by 34 airlines and processed17.5 million revenue passengers. There are fewer airlines accounting for a growingindustry output.There has also been significant churn in airlines serving regional airports over theyears. Out of 34 airlines serving regional airports in 2005, only five airlines havecontinued to provide services since 1984.Over the past 22 years, more than half of the regional airports were served by asingle operator.57