February 2022 Monthly traffic update & March 2022 preview

GENERAL

Thu, Apr 14 2022 08:31 am

February 2022 Monthly traffic update & March 2022 Monthly traffic preview

Auckland Airport total passenger volumes decreased by 19.9% in February 2022 versus February 2021 and were down 78.8% compared to the pre-COVID equivalent in February 2019. Compared to February 2021, international passengers (excl. transits) were up 56.4%, transit passengers were up 94.6% and domestic passengers were down by 24.8%.

Key Points:

• On 28 February 2022 the New Zealand Government announced the removal of home isolation requirements for all fully vaccinated inbound international passengers from 2 March 2022, but at first with only New Zealanders and permanent residents permitted entry. Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can enter New Zealand from 23:59 on 12 April 2022 and vaccinated visitors from visa waiver countries from 23:59 1 May 2022.

• There were an additional 14,159 international passengers in February 2022 compared to February 2021. Half of these additional international passengers are attributable to quarantine free travel to and from the Cook Islands. The remainder of the increase is attributable to another strong month of outbound international travel which increased by 59.1% compared to year prior.

• Transit passenger growth reflected mainly China to Australia passenger flows. Australia opened its border to students and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) but with limited direct capacity between the China and Australia, passengers chose to travel indirectly via Auckland.

• Domestic demand was highest at the start of the month but gradually deteriorated when Omicron infections increased in the community. Overall domestic passenger numbers fell 24.8% versus February 2021.

March 2022 Monthly traffic preview

Auckland Airport total passenger volumes decreased by 14.8% in March 2022 versus March 2021 and were down 77.2% compared to the pre-COVID equivalent in March 2019. Compared to March 2021, international passengers (excl. transits) were up 330.1%, transit passengers were up 157% and domestic passengers were down by 34.5%.

Key Points:

• International passenger demand rose in March 2022 due to the removal of isolation requirements for arriving New Zealanders and permanent residents. Whilst volume was only 12% of March 2019, international passengers were up 172% on the prior month.

• Passenger demand on short-haul international routes for March 2022 recovered to 15.1% of pre-COVID March 2019 levels with airline load factors increasing towards historic levels. Before COVID, 49% of passengers on short-haul international routes were New Zealand residents compared to 41% on long-haul international routes. Short-haul routes have therefore bounced back more strongly than long-haul routes which were only 8.8% of March 2019 levels. Most long-haul international passengers travelled to and from UK and Europe reflecting pent-up demand for visiting friends and relatives.

• Domestic demand for March 2022 was 34.9% of March 2019, with passenger volumes declining in month compared to February 2022 reflecting hesitation to travel during the Omicron outbreak. Domestic traffic improved in the final week in March, returning to approx. 40% of pre-COVID levels.

Please see attached pdf for full report.