Fewer overseas passengers in October after last year's RWC crowds
But the number of domestic travellers increases.
Air New Zealand and Auckland International Airport report fewer international passengers last month compared to the influx of visitors a year ago when the Rugby World Cup was reaching its crescendo.
The national carrier reported a 1% drop in long-haul passengers carried to 115,000 in October from the same month a year earlier, while Auckland Airport showed a 3.5% decline in international passenger movements to 612,976, the companies says in separate statements.
Both showed a pick-up in domestic passenger movements from October 2011, with Air NZ increasing 3.5% to 686,000 and Auckland Airport reporting an 11% boost in numbers to 561,051.
The figures echo official data which showed a 15% slide in the number of foreign visitors in October, with fewer Australians, Brits and South Africans – the three nationalities that had plumped the rugby tournament's numbers.
Chinese arrivals bucked the trend, jumping 44% to 15,344, and Auckland Airport showed a 45% pick-up in passengers landing from China. Air NZ's Asia/Japan/UK route showed a 1.8% slide to 43,000 in October from the same month a year earlier.
Auckland Airport showed a slowdown in international aircraft movements in October, which fell 5.5% to 3748, while domestic flights rose 3.4% to 9901.
Shares in Air NZ were unchanged at $1.245, while Auckland Airport stock gained 0.2% to $2.66.
(BusinessDesk)
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Fewer overseas passengers in October after last year's RWC crowds
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