AIA - July 2023 Monthly Traffic Update & August 2023 Preview

Thursday 14th September 2023

In July 2023, total passenger volumes at Auckland Airport increased by 27% compared to July 2022 and were 84% of the July 2018 pre-COVID equivalent, the last full year not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. International passengers (excl. transits) increased by 66% versus July 2022 and represent 83% of the July 2018 equivalent. Transit passengers were up 65% compared to July 2022, representing 77% of July 2018. Domestic passengers for July 2023 were in line with the prior year and represent 86% of July 2018 pre-COVID equivalent.

Key Points:

• Total passenger numbers reached 1.48m for July 2023 with strong annual growth in international passenger demand due to a combination of the July school holidays and the FIFA Women’s World Cup;

• 23 airlines operated on the international network in the month connecting Auckland with 38 overseas destinations, an increase of 5 airlines compared to the prior year;

• Overall international load factors averaged 77% for July, lower than the year prior, but up on June 2023;

• Passengers on the domestic trunk network were in line with the prior year, however, the Auckland to Queenstown route was softer, declining 15%, reflecting passengers’ change in preference, traveling internationally as opposed to taking a winter holiday;

• Queenstown Airport international passenger numbers increased 28% on the year prior, but domestic passengers decreased 17% on the same month last year.

August 2023 Monthly Traffic Preview

In August 2023, total passenger volumes at Auckland Airport increased by 29% compared to August 2022 and were 87% of the August 2018 pre-COVID equivalent, the last full year not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. International passengers (excl. transits) increased by 59% versus August 2022 and represent 85% of the August 2018 equivalent. Transit passengers were up 69% compared to August 2022, representing 78% of August 2018. Domestic passengers for August 2023 increased by 7% compared to August 2022 and represented 90% of August 2018 pre-COVID equivalent.

Key Points:

• Total passenger numbers reached 1.45m for August 2023, slightly down on the 1.48m passenger movements seen in July 2023 as August is an off-peak season month;

• New Zealand passport holders accounted for 52% of all international passengers in the month, up significantly on August 2022 as the propensity to travel recovers. The largest growth in international passengers was from holders of passports from Asian countries, with Chinese, Indian and Japanese nationals significantly up on the prior year;

• Batik Air Malaysia commenced services between Auckland and Perth in August, offering one-stop flights to Kuala Lumpur. Qatar Airways re-commenced direct Auckland to Doha services, switching from indirect services via Adelaide, offering seamless one-stop connections to nearly 50 European destinations;

• Passengers on the domestic trunk network increased during the month by 7% on 14% more capacity. Capacity increases were focused on Auckland to Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington with capacity to Queenstown decreasing by 6% compared to August 2022. Regional domestic capacity also grew, increasing 7% on last year;

• Queenstown Airport international passenger numbers increased 29% on the year prior, and domestic passengers decreased 10% on the same month last year.

Please see attached PDF for full report.

AIA - July 2023 Monthly traffic update & August 2023 preview

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