Perth airport passengers treble

Passenger numbers through Perth Airport have almost trebled in the past 10 years to more than 12.6 million people and based on the average growth rate over the decade, the number could double by 2019.

The official figures, released by Perth Airport for the year ended July 30, show a 10.31 per cent increase but do not include about a million passengers who passed through the terminals of Network Aviation, Skippers Aviation, Maroomba Airlines and Cobham.

The rise in numbers over 10 years from 4.8 million to 12.6 million was almost triple the global rate, according to the International Air Transport Association. During the first mining boom in 1972, about 679,000 passengers used Perth Airport.

That number of people now goes through the airport every 19 days.

Perth Airport has committed $750 million for facilities that will create capacity to support the expected continuing strong demand.

A new terminal for regional airlines will be completed next year.

Last month, the airport went out to tender for the most significant component of the $750 million redevelopment - construction of the new domestic pier and international departures (Terminal 1) expansion, which is to be completed by July 2014.