Airport passenger figures still rising

PHUKET: The number of passengers arriving at and/or departing from the island via Phuket International Airport continues to rise, according to the latest figures released by airport officials. Passenger throughput in December last year rose to 347,720, an increase of 13.51% over the figure for December 1999. The number of passengers on domestic flights increased by 14.16% to 205,939, while international traffic rose 12.57% to 141,781. Cargo throughput for the same period, however, continued to decrease, with domestic shipments falling 17.25% to 1,175 tons, and international shipments dropping by 29.62% to 1,081 tons.