As more airlines use the airports in Sydney and Melbourne as a hop destination and as they also are adding more daily flights to the large Australian cities, the number of people seen passing through the terminals has risen quite significantly. This is great news for Sydney and Melbourne as it means that they are raising more money through tourism. 

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport said international and domestic travellers passing through its terminals rose six per cent in the three months to September 30, 2012, compared with the prior corresponding period.

International passengers rose by four per cent while domestic travellers were up seven per cent, Melbourne Airport said in a statement on Friday.

The biggest increase in overseas visitors came from Hong Kong, up 23 per cent in the quarter.

The number of Chinese passport holder rose 15.3 per cent, while Fijians travelling to Melbourne increased by 18.8 per cent, the airport said.

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