MEL achieves 100 million international passengers

MEL aerial — Melbourne Airport has celebrated 100 million international passengers. (Melbourne Airport)

The 100 millionth international passenger passed through Melbourne Airport on January 31.

The airport’s CEO Chris Woodruff said: “We’ve come a long way since we first opened for international flights in July, 1970. In our first year of operation, around 100,000 passengers travelled through the new airport. Last year, almost seven million international passengers used Melbourne Airport.” The 100 millionth passenger was a young woman travelling to Singapore.

Melbourne Airport’s annual passenger throughput is expected to reach 40 million by 2020 and 60 million by 2033, which is driving the progressive development of new terminal facilities and a third runway.