Auckland announces six-month results

Nicole Mezzasalma

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Retail income grew by 10.4% due to store openings, new concessions and increased passenger spend

Auckland airport (AIAL) has announced its results for the first six months of 2007/08 to December 31. Total revenue was up by 7.9% to NZ$172.3m ($137.7m) compared with the previous corresponding period, while EBITDA increased by 7.3% to NZ$135.4m ($108.2m). Non-aeronautical revenue grew by 12.1% to NZ$93.2m ($74.5m), which the airport claims was “driven by a strong performance from the company’s retail operations, combined with increases in car parking and rental income”. Retail income rose by 10.4% to NZ$51m ($40.8m) owing to store openings, new concessions tendered for duty-free, car rentals and foreign exchange and increased passenger spend.

AIAL CEO Don Huse said: “The company has continued to make significant progress across a broad range of key initiatives over the last six months. This included the completion of the ‘extreme makeover’ and upgrade of the domestic terminal precinct in December. Progress continues on the expanded arrivals project (to be completed by mid-2008) and the first stage of the new Pier B at the international terminal (to be completed in September 2008). Engineering work has also commenced on the first stage of the northern runway. This is expected to be operational in early 2011. Delivery of these major projects has enabled the company to deliver significant value uplifts in terms of business development, service offerings and related pricing adjustments.”

The expanded arrivals project at the international terminal will include a 1,600sq m (17,222sq ft) arrivals duty-free store. The next stage of development at the terminal, due to be completed in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2011, will also offer a wider range of shops and services for travellers.