MELBOURNE TO HOST IATA SCHEDULES CONFERENCE NEXT YEAR

MELBOURNE, July 9 (Bernama) -- Melbourne will host the 2010 International
Air Transport Association (IATA) Schedules Conference in November next year.

The conference, to be held at the new Melbourne Convention and Exhibition
Centre, will attract more than 1,100 delegates from 300 airlines and 200
airports.

Australia's Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula said visitors to the
convention would have a first-hand look at Melbourne Airport and the A$330
million expansion it was undergoing.

"Melbourne Airport handled a record 377,277 international passengers this
May with the airport seeing an increase of 4.4 percent in passenger numbers
since May 2008," Pakula said in a statement.

Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau's chief executive Sandra Chipchase
said hosting the IATA conference would showcase Melbourne's "exceptional
convention facilities" and the many outstanding visitor experiences which draw
delegates here.

Melbourne's Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the city was pleased to play host
to the IATA Schedules Conference in 2010.
-- BERNAMA