International Passengers up 29% & Domestic up 10% for Half Year

January 10

Passenger Statistics Half Year - July to December 2009

Queenstown Airport saw 409,426 passengers move through its airport for the half year period ending December 2009. Queenstown Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson said “The passenger numbers through the airport are up overall by 12% for the same period last year, with international passengers up 29% and domestic up 10%. The International passenger support continues to be strong, however we are very pleased with the double digit increase of 10% for domestic passengers”.

Domestic passengers were up for the half year period over last year to 342,707, a 10% increase. The number of flights were slightly down by 3%, however, average passenger loadings were at 78% up 7 percentage points. Sanderson said, “The increase in domestic passengers and aircraft loadings is probably the most pleasing outcome, and a return for both domestic support and connecting international travellers from Auckland and Christchurch that are Queenstown bound.”

Compared to the same 6 month period last year, international passengers grew to 66,719, up 29% supported by an increase of 25% in international flights from the east coast of Australia. This represents an increase in seat capacity of 19,140 (28%) or a total of 86,340 seats. Sanderson said “If this run rate continues Queenstown Airport may see 100,000 international passengers within its reporting year for the first time.” (The highest number of international travellers in one year was 74,585 recorded in 2008/9.) The average loading of passengers on international flights stands at 78%, up 6 percentage points for the half year period.