30 Oct 2008

Slower growth expected by Auckland airport

12:01 pm on 30 October 2008

Auckland International Airport Ltd expects slower growth in passenger numbers because of the global financial crisis and higher fuel prices.

The company says it has experienced strong international growth from both India and China, but there have been declines from more traditional markets.

Auckland International Airport says passenger growth increased this year by almost 7%, to just over 13 million passenger movements, but numbers from Britain, the United States and some Asian markets have fallen.

Chairman Tony Frankham told the annual general meeting on Thursday the decline would also have a knock-on effect on the travel and tourism sectors in New Zealand.

Despite the adverse economic conditions, Mr Frankham said there continued to be growth in the domestic and trans-Tasman markets, with the entrance of Pacific Blue and the Australian-owned JetStar.