12 August 2009

Passenger numbers grow in recession

Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has ended its financial year with passenger numbers slightly higher than the previous year, despite a global downturn affecting tourism.

CIAL chief executive Jim Boult was jubilant about the result.

“With 5,908,077 passengers through this airport in the last 12 months, we have tipped into positive growth by about 3000 passengers,” he said. 

“This growth was helped in particular by the surge in domestic travel with the additional capacity from Pacific Blue during the year, and the introduction of Jetstar services in June, ensuring a very attractive domestic travel proposition for consumers.”

Domestic passenger numbers for the year were 1.3% up on last year, at 4,333,294, while international passenger numbers were 3.1% down at 1,574,783.

Mr Boult said that South Island tourism was relatively buffered from the substantial decline in international passenger travel seen elsewhere.

“Our trans-Tasman services remain strong, supported by some innovative marketing work by Tourism New Zealand in partnership with the Ski Tourism Marketing Network and CIAL.  This focus on the short-break traveller has been superbly targeted to ensure that our region reaps the benefits of Australians looking for a winter escape to the South Island.”

Jetstar Chief Executive Officer Bruce Buchanan said Jetstar was pleased to be growing tourism for Christchurch following the commencement of domestic services on 10 June 2009.

“Jetstar aims to stimulate the New Zealand tourism market with its every day low fares. Around 200,000 passengers have already travelled with us across our domestic network, and we’ve increased Qantas Group domestic capacity to Christchurch alone by 71 per cent to offer a total of eight daily return A320 services,” Mr Buchanan said.