March 2021 Monthly traffic update and April 2021 preview

GENERAL

Wed, May 19 2021 08:30 am

March 2021 Monthly traffic update and April 2021 preview

-53.8%. Auckland Airport total passenger volumes decreased by 53.8% in March 2021 versus last year. International passengers (excl. transits) were down 95.0%, transit passengers were down 92.9% and domestic passengers were down by 11.1%.

Key Points:

• The decline in total passengers for March 2021 reflects the impact of the travel restrictions imposed by the New Zealand Government in response to COVID-19. The closure of the New Zealand border from 20 March 2020 to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents has had a significant impact on international services.

• The Australian Government resumed one-way quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia on Thursday, 11 March 2021. The arrangement allows travellers who have been in New Zealand for 14 days to travel by air to Australia quarantine-free, without applying for a travel exemption.

• Domestic services in March 2021 were also impacted by further travel restrictions when Auckland re-entered Alert Level 3 at 6am on Sunday, 28 February 2021 for a period of six days until 6am on Sunday, 7 March 2021.

April 2021 Monthly traffic update preview

1,547.9%. Auckland Airport total passenger volumes increased by 1,547.9% in April 2021 versus last year. International passengers (excl. transits) were up 114.0%, transit passengers were up 36.1% and domestic passengers were up by 5,586.3%.

Key Points:

• International arrivals in April last year (2020) were significantly impacted by the closure of the New Zealand border by the New Zealand Government from 20 March 2020 in response to COVID-19 to all but New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. Domestic services in April 2020 were also impacted by travel restrictions, with New Zealand at Alert Level 4 until 11.59pm Monday, 27 April 2020, and Alert Level 3 until 11.59pm Wednesday, 13 May 2020.

• The increase in total international passengers for April 2021 reflects the impact of trans-Tasman quarantine free travel to and from Australia which was operational from 11.59pm Sunday, 18 April 2021. The arrangement allows travellers who have been in New Zealand or Australia for 14 days to cross the Tasman border in either direction without having to go into MIQ.

• Domestic services for April 2021 were also favourably impacted by trans-Tasman quarantine free travel transferring to domestic flights, combined with additional travel around the country during public holidays for the Easter weekend from 2 April 2021 to 5 April 2021 and ANZAC weekend from 24 April 2021 to 26 April 2021.

Please see attached pdf for full report.