Wellington Airport numbers dip

Domestic passenger traffic at Wellington Airport in July was down 3.3 per cent on last year, while the number of international passengers fell 6.5 per cent.

Majority owner Infratil said 388,595 domestic passengers used the airport in July. There were 1 per cent fewer seats available for them, as some airlines reduced capacity.

There was a 6 per cent decline in international capacity from the same month last year, with capacity to Sydney down 11.6 per cent and passenger numbers to Sydney down 8.6 per cent.

Infratil also said it expected at least two more Wellington transport companies to accept its electronic snapper cards by early next year. The cards are now being used to pay for 60 per cent of the rides on buses that accept them and the goal is 80 per cent by Christmas.

Adams Coachlines in Whangarei accepts the cards.

"Any Wellingtonian intending to travel to Whangarei for the Wellington Lions October 11 [rugby] game against the Northland Taniwha should take their snapper," Infratil said.

Adams operates a flat fare policy. Cards cannot be reloaded in Whangarei.

- NZPA