KEY POINTS:
Auckland International Airport has posted a record week for international passengers and the company is optimistic about the year ahead.
The airport processed 153,453 arriving and departing international passengers (not including transit and transfer) in the week to Christmas Eve - beating the previous weekly high of 152,382.
The preliminary signs for the year ahead were encouraging, "but it's still early days", chief financial officer Robert Sinclair said.
The company was also optimistic about economic progress in key markets including Australia, Britain, the US and Asia and what that might mean for inbound passenger growth to New Zealand this year.
International passenger numbers for the week ending January 14 were 147,478 - up 3.7 per cent on last year.
Chief executive Don Huse said planning was under way to expand the arrivals-processing area.
"We are enhancing our facilities and services in anticipation of further tourism growth and to make the visitor experience even more enjoyable," he said.
International arrivals rose in November and October by 4.4 per cent and 0.8 per cent respectively.
The airport has not yet disclosed passenger numbers for the whole of December although unconfirmed reports suggest more New Zealanders may have jetted abroad in search of some holiday sun. The company's shares closed up 3c at $2.23 yesterday.
Record breaker
Week ending December 24:
153,453 international passengers.
Previous highest week:
152,382 international passengers.
Week ending January 14:
147,478 International passengers, up 3.7 per cent.
