Easter hits airport revenue

Auckland International Airport registered a 3.1 per cent fall in international passenger numbers in March compared with the same month in 2005.

It said the decline was mainly due to Easter falling in April this year against March last year with fewer New Zealanders travelling.

Strong increases in travellers from China and the United States were offset by declines from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Domestic passenger growth remained positive at 2.2 per cent and overall aircraft movements increased 2.5 per cent in March compared with same period last year.

- NZPA