Air NZ, Auckland Airport report fewer overseas passengers in October from RWC crowds

Friday 23rd November 2012

Air New Zealand and Auckland International Airport both reported fewer international passengers last month compared to the influx of visitors a year ago when the Rugby World Cup was reaching its crescendo.

The national carrier reported a 1 percent decline in long-haul passengers carried to 115,000 in October from the same month a year earlier, while Auckland Airport showed a 3.5 percent decline in international passenger movements to 612,976, the companies said in separate statements.

Both transport operators showed a pick-up in domestic passenger movements from October 2011, with Air NZ increasing domestic passengers 3.5 percent to 686,000 and Auckland Airport reporting an 11 percent boost in domestic passenger numbers to 561,051.

The figures echo official data which showed a 15 percent slide in the number of foreign visitors in October, with fewer Australians, Brits and South Africans - the three nationalities that had plumped the rugby tournament's numbers.

Chinese arrivals bucked the trend, jumping 44 percent to 15,344, and Auckland Airport showed a 45 percent pick-up in passengers landing from China. Air New Zealand's Asia/Japan/UK route showed a 1.8 percent decline to 43,000 in October from the same month a year earlier.

Auckland Airport showed a slowdown in international aircraft movements in October, which fell 5.5 percent to 3,748, while domestic flights increased 3.4 percent to 9,901.

Shares in Air NZ were unchanged at $1.245 while Auckland Airport stock gained 0.2 percent to $2.66.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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