Macau, China, 04 Jan – Macau’s international airport was used in 2006 by 4.9 million passengers, a year-on-year increase of 17 percent, the airport’s management company said Wednesday.

Aircraft traffic rose 13 percent against 2005 to a total 51,047 takeoffs and landings, while the cargo sector saw a fall of 3 percent with the processing of 220,573 tons of cargo.

As well as work to expand the airport, which will rapidly reach its full capacity of 6 million passengers, the Macau Administration is also considering doubling the size of its sea terminal currently being built on the island of Taipa, thus allowing the facility to receive 16 passenger ships at a time.

Macau’s International airport was built during the territory’s Portuguese administration and opened on December 8, 1995. (macauhub)