KEY POINTS:
Despite stresses on the aviation industry, domestic passenger numbers at Wellington Airport were 22 per cent higher in May than a year earlier.
Infratil, which owns 66 per cent of the airport, said the figures reflected the ongoing competitiveness of the market on domestic trunk routes.
Airline Pacific Blue continued to perform strongly. and other airlines were responding, Infratil said. Average seat loads in May of 72.6 per cent were marginally below the previous year, but the load factor remained strong given the 23 per cent increase in seat capacity.
International passengers were below the previous year by 0.2 per cent, following a 2 per cent increase in capacity. Infratil also owns European airports Glasgow Prestwick, and Kent International and has a 90 per cent stake in Lubeck Airport.
Holding company Infratil Airports Europe (IAEL) was directly feeling the impact of large increase in the cost of fuel and softer economic climate that were creating difficult times for the aviation industry generally, Infratil said.
