Airport posts half-year profit just under $50m

Auckland International Airport has posted a $47.59 million profit for the six months to December 2007.

The company's interim result shows a 7.9 per cent rise in revenue to more than $172 million. Passenger numbers were also up 4.9 per cent on the same period last year.

An interim dividend of 5.75c a share will be paid, which is 2c more than last year.

AIA chairman Tony Frankham says the increased dividend is to utilise surplus imputation credits that will be lost if the current takeover plan by the Canadian Pension Plan is successful.

- NEWSTALK ZB