Auckland International Airport handled a record number of international travellers last week, the latest hint that the tourism industry is in for a bumper season this summer.
During the week to Sunday, 129,222 international passengers arrived at or departed from the airport, excluding transit travellers. That was a 17per cent increase on the same week last year.
The previous highest week was in January this year, when 125,188 international travellers passed through the airport.
Airport chief executive Don Huse said January was traditionally the airport's busiest time of year.
"Earlier this year the industry projected a 30 per cent increase in seat capacity. These latest figures show that the capacity increase is being taken up," Huse said.
The week before last (ending November 23 2003) was the airport's third-highest week ever, in terms of passenger numbers.
The airport has been preparing for an "unprecedented increase in international seat capacity" as airlines, including Emirates, add Auckland to their routes.
Airport chairman Wayne Boyd last month told shareholders that full-year earnings may rise as much as 5 per cent as the company expands services to cope with an expected record number of international passengers over the peak summer months.
The tourism industry is also expecting record numbers of overseas visitors in the country this summer.
In the year to the end of October, 2.06 million short-term overseas visitors arrived in the country, 4 per cent more than in the previous 12-month period.
* Auckland Airport has launched an information campaign aimed at preparing passengers flying in and out of Auckland for a busy summer at the airport. It has set up a website, www.operationsummer.co.nz, with tips on making travel easier.
