[Mike W]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-23349,00.html

Steve Creedy, Aviation writer | October 21, 2008

AIR travel between the major east coast capitals is no longer booming, as August passenger numbers on the nation's busiest route, Sydney-Melbourne, were just 0.2 per cent higher than a year ago.

Transport Department figures released yesterday suggest business travellers on the so-called "golden triangle" of Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane may be tightening their belts as the economic crunch bites.

The new figures came as Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said international passenger demand was falling.

"There is lessening in demand in all classes," Mr Dixon said as he boarded the airline's first A380 flight to the US. "Qantas has held up better than most airlines."

The lacklustre Sydney-Melbourne growth figures on the corresponding month a year earlier compare with a 2.7 per cent rise in June, a 10.6 per cent jump in May and a 6.3 per cent increase in April.

The government figures show that, while passenger numbers nationwide were up 4.4 per cent in August, the number flying between Brisbane and Sydney rose just 2.1 per cent and passengers travelling between Brisbane and Melbourne fell 5.2 per cent.

Planes were also flying less full, with load factors down from 80.5per cent to 77.6 per cent as increases in capacity outstripped rises in passenger traffic.

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