International passenger numbers through Auckland Airport fell by 2% in May year-on-year, with Middle East numbers plunging due to conflict in region.
There were 746,000 total international passenger movements in the month, AKL says.
Flights from Auckland to the Middle East continued to be impacted by the unrest in the region, with passengers and seat capacity on the routes lower by 71% and 65% respectively. Emirates and Qatar Airways are restoring close to pre-war capacity later this week.
In May, international seat capacity fell 4% resulting in average load factors of 82%, a 1.6 percentage point increase. By nationality, New Zealand passenger movements fell by 7%, Australia was up by 3%, China up by 10%, US down by 2% and Britain down by 4%.
. . . Domestic, ZQN
AKL says passenger numbers on the domestic trunk routes grew 3% for May, on 2% more seat capacity. Regional passenger numbers fell 8% and seat capacity declined by 7% as Air New Zealand consolidated flights in response to soaring fuel costs.
Queenstown Airport international passenger numbers in May increased by 17% on the year prior and domestic passengers are up 14%.
