This is the first time the 200,000 passenger milestone has been reached and represents an increase of 20 per cent on 2008 and a 60 per cent increase on the number of passengers recorded in 2007 prior to the introduction of Virgin Blue services.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s director of corporate and business services, Tony Leahy said, “Given the global financial crisis and the pressure on passenger numbers at other regional airports across Australia, this result is a significant achievement for Port Macquarie Airport and the local community.

“The result is a further endorsement of the council’s continued investment in the airport which, in the two years since the commencement of Virgin Blue services, is estimated to have contributed an additional $20 million into the local economy,” Mr Leahy said.

“The record number of passengers is an outstanding result for our airline partners QantasLink, Virgin Blue and Brindabella Airlines which have shown strong support for Port Macquarie during a difficult year for the aviation industry.

“Looking forward, the council is committed to promoting further growth in passenger numbers and the expansion of flights to new destinations as part of the ongoing development of Port Macquarie Airport as the premier gateway to the Mid North Coast,” Mr Leahy concluded.

QantasLink’s decision to add an extra 500 seats a week to its Port Macquarie service is further evidence of continuing confidence in our region’s future, says Independent Member for Port Macquarie, Peter Besseling.

“The economic indicators are supporting a widespread feeling of optimism in our community, and to have QantasLink announce an extra five Port Macquarie-Sydney flights each week simply confirms the vote of confidence coming from our business and tourism markets,” Mr Besseling said.

“Only this week we’ve seen business surveys revealing intense interest in staff recruitment, an employment boom predicted in the areas of construction and infrastructure development, our unemployment levels are the lowest of any area on the Mid-North Coast, and economic data out of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council showing our economy is growing much faster than most regional centres.

“There is a real feeling of optimism in our community about our future, but QantasLink’s decision to invest more resources in our town shows that confidence is spreading.”