In opposition. Prime Minister Tony Abbott used to delight in denouncing Kevin Rudd as a frequent flyer, but Mr Abbott is now set to equal his predecessor's globetrotting record.

By September 7 - one year after the Coalition's election victory - the Prime Minister will have made 11 international trips, the same number as Mr Rudd made during his first 12 months in office.

Frequent flyer: Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrives in the Netherlands this month. Credit:Kate Geraghty

And Mr Abbott intends to increase his overseas travel, with government sources telling Fairfax Media's Australian Financial Review the focus on foreign affairs was a positive distraction from the poorly received federal budget.

The government has had to negotiate several major international events since the election, including the escalating crisis in Iraq and Syria and the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by Ukrainian separatists. Thirty-eight Australians were killed in that incident and the government's strong response was widely praised.