Most flying visits on Fridays
Wellington Airport has revealed the days to avoid travelling in and out of the capital this summer, and January appears to be the time to pack your bags.
The airport has released its 10 busiest flight days between December and March, with Fridays in December appearing to be the dates to dodge air travel in the lead-up to Christmas.
Passenger capacity will be at its peak on December 23, when 300 flights are scheduled, carrying up to 27,500 travellers.
The airport handles an average of 250 domestic or international flights per day.
The other busiest days almost all Fridays as well.
December 9 and 16; February 3, 10 and 24; and March 10 and 17 all have the potential to bring more than 25,000 passengers through the airport gates. March 22 and February 22, both Wednesdays, have similar seat capacities.
Airport spokesman Greg Thomas said international travellers were more frequent during are summer because it was Wellington’s peak tourism season and locals embarked on overseas travel.
Last summer’s busiest day was December 11, when capacity was 25,825.
‘‘Domestic passengers are higher from February onwards, as people are still holidaying around the country and business travel picks up at the same time, which is a considerable share of Wellington’s market.’’
Several developments had been completed recently to prepare for the increasing international demand, Thomas said.
That included installing SmartGates for faster processing through customs and a $58 million main terminal extension.
Expansion of the international terminal arrivals area was also completed recently, while consultation was under way on a $60 million expansion of that terminal.
‘‘For busy days during the holiday period, we also make sure we have additional staff along with contractors on standby,’’ Thomas said.
The airport’s busiest day on record was October 10, 2011, the Monday after two Rugby World Cup quarter-final matches were held in the city, when 7110 international seats were operated.
Meanwhile, work on the new, multi-level, 1000-space car park building was continuing, and was expected to be completed by January, 2018.
The airport had lost about 300 parks during construction of the building, but had countered that by extending the long-term car park at the southern end of the airport by 260 parks.