Infratil shares powered to an all-time high yesterday on news of rising passenger numbers at Wellington International Airport, rising freight volumes at Glasgow Prestwick and the prospect of more competition on transtasman air routes.
The infrastructure investor, which owns 66 per cent of Wellington Airport, said December domestic
passenger numbers were up 3.4 per cent on the same month a year ago and international passengers were up 8.9 per cent.
The prospects for increased competition on the Tasman had been further boosted by Richard Branson's recent confirmation of Pacific Blue's aim to increase market share, Infratil said.
The airport was "continuing to consider" airline views on its plans to increase landing charges by 3 per cent a year for the next five years and expects to respond to the airlines this month.
Meanwhile, freight volumes at Infratil's flagship European airport Glasgow Prestwick were up more than 10 per cent in December, but passenger numbers eased.
Falling freight volumes at Glasgow Prestwick had been a concern for Infratil for some time
But the recent increase was "in keeping with recent improvements in freight throughput", the company said.
Among Infratil's other European airports, December freight volumes were also up at Kent International Airport south of London.
However, passenger numbers decreased slightly at Lubeck Airport in Germany.
Infratil shares closed up 18c at $5.60.
