THE region's first Australian Made store has opened at Cairns airport's international terminal.



The store is part of the $15 million upgrade of the international terminal departure lounge.



Operated by The Purely Group, the store is a showcase for Australianmade products, all carrying the green and gold triangular logo with the kangaroo motif.



Airport commercial and terminals general manager Kate McCreeryCarr said the store was an excellent addition to its retail outlets.



She said many international visitors wanted to buy Australianmade products.



"The beautiful range of products available includes uggs uk signature Australian brands such as Drizabone and Akubra as well as distinctive Australian timber products and apparel such as Ugg Boots and knitwear," Ms McCreeryCarr said.



"The store decor provides a point of interest for international and local travellers alike, with the walls displaying a time line of famous Australian inventions from the Hill Hoist and Victa lawnmowers to Vegemite and the Black Box," she said.



"The names of these inventions are also used to create an eyecatching map of Australia with a difference."



A new walkthrough dutyfree store at the ugg boots outlet terminal was the first to open in December as part of the upgrade.



The new realigned store follows the redevelopment of the processing areas for Australian border control and security screening agencies to provide more streamlined passenger flows.



Australianowned JR/Duty Free operates both the departures and arrivals dutyfree stores.



The airport is considering proposals from quality food and beverage operators for the departure lounge.



Other operators include a newsagency and a jewellery store.



Cairns airport is ranked as Australia seventh busiest for international passengers with direct flights to and from Auckland, Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Guam, Port Moresby and to Singapore, via Darwin.



In the year to June 30, 2011, international passenger numbers at the airport increased by 19.5 per cent or 105,000 compared with the previous year for a total of about 670,000.