Asian traveller growth lifts Auckland Airport

Asian traveller growth lifts Auckland Airport passenger numbers

By Peter Kerr

Oct. 26 (BusinessDesk) – International and domestic passenger numbers rose at Auckland International Airport Ltd. in September, with Asian travellers driving the increase.

International passenger volumes increased 5.8% to 617,616, according to the national gateway’s monthly traffic figures. Total domestic passengers lifted 4.3% to 525,301 from a year earlier.

In late August, the airport predicted a 2011 profit between $112 million - $118 million, and an overall 850,000 increase in passenger numbers by the end of 2011. The airport said that each international visitor generates about $2,500 for New Zealand tourism. Chief executive Simon Moutter said in August that increased air-service linkages are now recognised as a key government priority to grow New Zealand tourism and to help stimulate economic growth.

Admittedly from a low base, among the big movers in number growth were Chinese visitors, up almost 25% to 7,497, while South Korean travellers rose more than 36% to 3,532, and Indian tourists jumped 52% to 2,586. The airport puts the increase down to an recovery in demand for travel as fears subside about a pandemic and as economic growth improves.

Moutter said in August that Auckland Airport and New Zealand need to capture a stronger share of growth economy tourism, especially out of Asia, or risk falling behind the nation’s competitor destinations.

U.K. visitors fell 14% to 8,083, and Germans weren’t as keen on the country, falling almost 12% to 2,815. American visitors lifted by 1% to 8,288, and trans-Tasman visitors increased by 2.4% to 52,617.

Those people who were visiting for business and conference reasons lifted by 11.7% to 42,184, which continues to reflect an upward trend for the entire year.

(BusinessDesk)

© Scoop Media