Queenstown Airport produced a strong overall performance across all domestic and international routes for the month, with the total number of passengers moving through the airport up 15.4% compared to March 2014. Local events such as the Motatapu adventure race and the NZ Golf Open and travel to the Cricket World Cup in Wellington played a role in boosting travel in the region.
International passenger numbers were up 40%, with increased flight capacity and strong passenger loadings of 81% compared to 78% in march last year. The Melbourne route performed particularly well with an additional 18 flights in and out of Queenstown and a 47% increase in passengers for the same period in 2014.
Domestic passenger volumes also performed well, with a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was driven by aircraft up-guaging and consistently strong loadings – 87% compared with 86% in March last year.