Melbourne Airport’s curfew-free operations and scheduling flexibility has contributed to “uninterrupted connection to the global economy”, according to the airport’s head after welcoming an eight percent jump in visitor arrivals this year over the prior financial year.

Announced today, the airport saw its international arrivals reach up to 6.78 million over 2011/12, an eight percent rise the airport’s chief executive Chris Woodruff said was driven by 24/7 curfew-free operations and Victoria’s appeal as a meetings, tourism and education destination.

Despite a 22 percent hike in visitors from China to 470,573, New Zealand remained the airport’s number one overseas passenger market, with an eight percent increase in passport holders from Australia’s Tasman neighbour.

Visitors from India and the United States also jumped this year by seven percent over the prior year while arrivals from the UK decline by one percent.

Domestic also took a slight tip over 2011/12, with a two percent drop in arrivals from Australia, a decline pinned to the “difficulties experienced by domestic operators”.

 “However, there was a 6 per cent increase in domestic passengers for the month of June 2012, compared to the previous year,” Mr Woodruff highlighted.  

“This probably reflects the impact of the disruption to domestic aviation in June 2011 caused by the volcanic ash cloud.

“The introduction of more capacity on domestic routes and price competition among the airlines will undoubtedly help stimulate domestic travel in coming months.”