Auckland Airport comparatively busy

AUCKLAND: Auckland Airport was busier than Singapore’s Changi and Hong Kong Airport in June as domestic flights in this country bounced back more quickly than expected.

Auckland was also busier than the big Australian airports and closing in on London Heathrow, according to figures released yesterday.

In June, Auckland Airport had 231,600 travellers through its international and domestic terminals, a fraction of the 1.5 million last year but still ahead of big Australian and Asian hubs.

In June, Brisbane Airport had 184,616 passengers, 20% lower than Auckland Airport, while Sydney had 172,000 passengers, 25% lower.

Singapore last year handled an average of 5.5 million passengers a month but had just 48,200 in June (79% lower than Auckland) and Hong Kong which in 2019 had 6 million a month and had 59,000 in June — 74% lower.

Auckland’s June numbers were 28% behind Heathrow where there were 320,283 passengers for the month.

But Covid19 border and flying restrictions meant about 745 international passengers arrived and departed from Auckland Airport daily — just 3% of last June’s volume.

On average, three international flights arrived a day compared with about 70 international flights a day in June last year.

Of the total number of international passengers in June (22,371), about 9000 were Kiwis coming home. About half of these came from across the Tasman.

India was the second largest source of arrivals with 1500 passengers coming in on dedicated Air India repatriation flights which operated in June.

Arrivals from the US and China were next with about 1000 each.

Scott Tasker, general manager aeronautical commercial, said well over 100 domestic flights had operated each day from Auckland Airport in June and in July this increased further.

Kiwis were picking up on Tourism New Zealand’s message and getting out to see their own country.

‘‘We saw traveller numbers increase again over the July schoolholiday period, putting domestic passenger demand at about 60% of what it was during the same time last year. While we’re on the right track and it’s encouraging to see people returning to travel, we still have a long way to go.’’

He said the international comparison demonstrated the stark reality of the challenges faced by airlines and airports around the world.

‘‘Everyone in the aviation and tourism industry has been significantly affected by Covid19.’’ — The New Zealand Herald