Port Elizabeth Airport has hit the million mark.

That is the number of passengers who passed through the airport duringthe past year.

The statistics on passenger movement were based on arriving and departing passengers from May 2003 to May this year. The figure represents a 10% annual growth over the last three years. Airport manager Connie Mullersaid the dramatic growth had made PE airport no longer a small airport,but a world-class facility like those in Durban, Cape Town and East London.

"The achievement comes at a crucial stage in the history of Port Elizabeth as it accompanies an impressive, R38-million terminal configuration project that we are proud of," he said.

The introduction of low-cost carriers in South Africa, the marketing strategies of different airlines and positive feelings among people about the city were among the factors highlighted that contributed to the growth.

Muller could not disclose the number of flights provided daily by the different airlines, except to say that these had increased tremendously.

There was a possibility that more airlines would be introduced to the airport in view of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Airports communications manager Colin Naidoo expressed his gratitude to various stakeholders and airlines that operated from Port Elizabeth Airport.

"Airports Company of SA believes that without the support and co-operation of all stakeholders this milestone would not have been possible," Naidoo said.

Not only had the airport increased the variety of retail opportunities,but also increased capacity to handle the flow of people within the airport building.

Acsa would strive to achieve a figure beyond the one million mark inthe next financial year, Naidoo said.

Daily Dispatch