November 2021 Monthly traffic update and Dec 2021 preview

GENERAL

Tue, Jan 25 2022 08:30 am

November 2021 Monthly traffic update and December 2021 preview.

-89.1%. Auckland Airport total passenger volumes decreased by 89.1% in November 2021 versus the prior year and were down 96.7% compared to November 2018. International passengers (excl. transits) were up 7.1%, transit passengers were down 72.1% and domestic passengers were down by 93.9% compared to November 2020.

Key Points:

• Auckland remained at Alert Level 3 throughout November 2021, limiting both international and domestic flight and passenger movements in the month. The growth in international passengers in the month compared to November 2020 was driven by RSE workers arriving from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

• New Zealand transferred to the COVID-19 protection framework (i.e. traffic light system) on 2nd December and Auckland transitioned from the Red setting to Amber on 30th December. Auckland’s domestic border remained closed to all but essential travel until 23:59 14th December.

• Refer Appendix 2 for comparison with pre-COVID November 2018.

December 2021 Monthly traffic update preview.

-40.0%. Auckland Airport total passenger volumes decreased by 40% in December 2021 versus the prior year and were down 82.4% compared to November 2018. International passengers (excl. transits) were up 34.7%, transit passengers were down 38.1% and domestic passengers were down by 44% compared to December 2020.

Key Points:

• Entry to New Zealand remained restricted in the month. International passenger numbers in December improved on the prior month due to an increase in both outbound and inbound traffic, with the later a result of RSE workers arriving from Pacific Island nations.

• The first 2 weeks of December domestic passenger demand was in-line with prior month of November 2021, down by 92% versus December 2021. Following the removal of Auckland’s regional border restrictions, domestic traffic strengthened for the remainder of December 2021, down by 7% compared to December 2020.

• Quarantine free travel with Cook Islands recommenced on 14 January 2022.

• Refer Appendix 2 for comparison with pre-COVID December 2018.

Please see attached pdf for full report.