10 April 2008

Second airport for Sydney?

SYDNEY - A second major airport for Sydney will be considered as part of a historic review of the nation's aviation sector.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Australian federal government will reveal details today of its plan to prepare a first-ever white paper on aviation.

Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says there has been considerable growth in aviation with passenger numbers tripling during the past 20 years on the back of average annual growth of 5.8 per cent.

"But with that growth has come a range of challenges," he told ABC Radio.

That includes balancing liberalisation of international aviation policy against a strong local industry, aviation security and safety, the growth of low-cost carriers and secondary airports.

It was clear Sydney airport was under enormous pressure and the government remained committed to building a second airport, the minister said.

"We have said that we will consider that as part of the consideration of the master plan for Sydney airport in 2009."

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