January 2014 Monthly traffic update
769,540January 2014 international passenger volumes (excluding transit passengers) at Auckland Airport were the highest ever
for a single month. The 769,540 international passengers is 24,000 higher than the previous record set last month and
6.8% higher than January 2013. The January 2014 result was driven by higher visitor arrivals over summer, as well as
visitor arrivals for Chinese New Year which started in late January.
51.4%Chinese visitor arrivals were up 51.4% in January 2014 driven by the earlier timing of Chinese New Year (January this
year compared to February last year). Auckland Airport had four charter services during the Chinese New Year period, two
from China Southern and two from China Eastern. These charters were in addition to the 10 scheduled services per week
from Guangzhou on China Southern and daily services from Shanghai on Air New Zealand. Auckland Airport also experienced
strong Chinese New Year traffic from Hong Kong (+94.4%) and Taiwan (43.3%).
12.7%Domestic passenger volumes at Cairns Airport were up 12.7% in January 2014 on the prior year. The increase was due to
strong domestic demand over the New Year holiday period at the start of the month and Chinese New Year visitors at the
end of the month. Mackay Airport’s domestic passenger numbers were 12.4% down on the prior year, with capacity
reductions due to an easing mining industry and flight disruptions caused by Cyclone Dylan.
54.5%Visitor arrivals from Malaysia were up 54.5% in January 2014. This increase follows the increase in frequency of the
Malaysian Airlines service from Kuala Lumpur to daily from six per week over the summer peak. Malaysian Airlines has
also confirmed that due to strong demand it will commence a year-round daily service from 30 March 2014. This passenger
growth and additional capacity emphasises the benefit of Auckland Airport’s partnership work and capacity growth
programme with Malaysian Airlines and Tourism New Zealand.