Numbers plummet at Wellington airport

oz_mark · #1 (**permalink**) 25th January 2006, 06:37 PM

Something from the NZ Herald.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/st...ectID=10365231

Quote:

Lack of competition among airlines saw passenger numbers plummet at Wellington Airport last month and there were no signs of it picking up, listed infrastructure investor Infratil said yesterday.

Infratil, which owns 66 per cent of the airport, said international passenger traffic in December was down 12.4 per cent on the year before. Airline capacity dropped 8.8 per cent as Pacific Blue stopped flying to Sydney and Qantas and Air New Zealand cut seat numbers.

Although domestic traffic fared better, it, too, was down 5.3 per cent on the year before.

JohnK · #2 (**permalink**) 17th June 2006, 10:35 PM

Anyone have any recent statistics on passenger movement through Wellington airport. I remember Kiwi Flyer mentioning that Wellington airport is one of the higher taxed airports in NZ. Could this have something to do with it?

Would be interesting to see any changes if/when Air NZ and QF start codeshare flights.

Kiwi Flyer · #3 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 05:13 AM

I imagine numbers fairly stable since no significant route or schedule changes that I'm aware of - last year had loss of Pacific Blue.

Maybe Infratil (WLG owner) website has some stats?

Lindsay Wilson · #4 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 10:18 AM

Indeed they do have May statistics on their website

Kiwi Flyer · #5 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay Wilson

Indeed they do have May statistics on their website

Thanks for the link Lindsay Wilson. I got caught up in some moderator stuff on the other board that took a few hours and didn't get back to add the link.

PS the stats are for April, but posted in May

JohnK · #6 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer

PS the stats are for April, but posted in May

Figures suggest further drop in numbers, albeit only a small one, in April.

Kiwi Flyer · #7 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnK

Figures suggest further drop in numbers, albeit only a small one, in April.

Surprising it isnt a bigger drop really. Last year easter was in March and this year its April. WLG is mainly a business destination.

jakeseven7 · #8 (**permalink**) 18th June 2006, 12:24 PM

Hmm, I fly to Welly often, and the flights are almost always full or close to (QF). Infact I'm flying this afternoon and was unable to get on the direct QF from Syd, so forced to chance it with NZ!

Yada Yada · #9 (**permalink**) 19th June 2006, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeseven7

Hmm, I fly to Welly often, and the flights are almost always full or close to (QF). Infact I'm flying this afternoon and was unable to get on the direct QF from Syd, so forced to chance it with NZ!

So I wonder why all the ballyhoo from QF and NZ about excess capacity and the losses they are racking up? Is everyone only flying to Auckland?

Kiwi Flyer · #10 (**permalink**) 19th June 2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yada Yada

So I wonder why all the ballyhoo from QF and NZ about excess capacity and the losses they are racking up? Is everyone only flying to Auckland?

Some flights are much fuller than others - ie Monday and Friday, business timed flights vs middle of day.

Overall load factors are lower than they'd like.