Total international passenger numbers through Auckland Airport increased slightly in Apr although travel through the Middle East plummeted, show the latest figures.
AKL says there were 846,000 international passenger movements in the month, up 1% on Apr 2025. International seat capacity through AKL declined 1% year-on-year. By nationality New Zealand passengers decreased by 4% on prior year, Australian down by 4%, the US was up by 13%, Chinese up by 25% and UK nationals down by 6%. Passenger volume on short-haul international routes increased by 2% against a 3% seat capacity increase.
Passenger movements on long-haul international routes fell by 1% and seat capacity decreased by 6% resulting in load factors of 86%, up 4.2%. Flights from AKL to the Middle East showed passenger numbers plunge 80% and seat capacity by 74% on Apr 2025, as Emirates cut back flying and Qatar Airways paused services.
. . . Domestic Mixed
Passenger numbers on the domestic trunk routes grew 5% year-on-year against a 6% seat capacity increase, with load factors of 85%, a 1.1 per centage point decrease. Regional passenger numbers fell 7% and seat capacity declined by 9%, reflecting cuts by Air NZ. Queenstown Airport international passenger numbers were up 3% and domestic passengers up 9%.
