Aussie airports need US$13bn to meet Asian demand – minister
Australian airports need at least US$13 billion worth of upgrades and investments over the coming decade to cope with increased demand from Asia, the country’s Transport Minister has stated.
Addressing the Asia Pacific Aviation Aerospace Leaders’ Summit in Melbourne yesterday, Anthony Albanese said funding airports’ expansion was crucial if Australia wants to avoid severe congestion in the coming years.
“As Australia’s engagement with Asia continues to grow, there will be many challenges and questions about how best to develop the aviation industry and the infrastructure that supports it,” Albanese was quoted saying at the event by China’s Xinhua news agency.
“Despite substantial investment, Australia’s privately-operated airport network is experiencing increasing congestion,” he said. “Estimates suggest that at least AU$13 billion (US$13.4bn) will be required over the next 10 years alone to tackle this.”
Ten years ago, three Chinese carriers offered just 11 services per week from China to Australia, while none of Australia’s airlines flew to mainland China. Today there are more than weekly flights between two countries, with China Southern Airlines alone operating 42.