Australian Aviation

Melbourne Airport has recorded an 11.8 per cent increase in passengers during September, driven by significant growth in international traffic. International traffic at the airport totalled 519,042 passengers for the month, representing a 15.7 per cent increase compared to September 2009. The airport said that Asian passport holders helped to drive the growth, particularly Malaysian

British Airways has exercised two options for Embraer E-190s for operation by its CityFlyer regional subsidiary. By the end of the first half of 2011, CityFlyer will operate seven E-190s and six E-170s.

Launceston Airport has recorded a one per cent growth in passenger traffic for the first quarter of the 2010/2011 financial year. Over the three months, 268,000 passengers passed through the airport compared to 266,000 over the same quarter in the previous year. Despite the low rate of growth, Launceston Airport general manager Pamela Graham said

BAE Systems’ Regional Aircraft division has revealed its latest concept for the BAe 146/Avro RJ based Avro Business Jet at the NBAA Convention in Atlanta, which is aimed at the charter aircraft market. Called the ABJ Fusion and developed in conjunction with Design Q, the aircraft is aimed at teaming the field performance, steep approach

The Strategic Aviation Group has announced the appointment of a number of senior managers to the company as it prepares for an expansion to its international and domestic services. At Strategic Airlines, former Royal Brunei marketing and sales manager Marty Byrne has been appointed to the newly created role of national marketing and communications manager.

The Australian government has written to the US Department of Transport (DOT) in support of the proposed joint venture alliance between Virgin Blue and Delta Air Lines. According to weekend reports carried by Fairfax newspapers, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport has urged the US DOT to grant the two carriers antitrust immunity, particularly given