Auckland Airport reported its first profit of $68 million since pandemic in the last six months of 2022. In December 2021, the airport reported a loss of $11.5 million. In 2019, the airport’s revenue had soared from $126.2 million to $287.8 million.
The airport reported a surge in passenger footfalls in the second half of 2022, with 7.6 million as compared to just 2.8 million in 2021. Out of the 7.6 million passengers, over four million were domestic passengers accounting for 85% of pre-COVID level.
The airport reported a total aeronautical revenue of $101.5 million, while retail revenue stood at $59.4 million.
Patrick Strange, chair at Auckland Airport, said that growth will continue like this, with the airport expecting underlying profit to be around $125 million to $145 million after tax.
Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO, Auckland Airport said: "We've seen the return of international airlines, increasing demand, and record high load factors, so all that is incredibly positive. The recovery is well and truly underway."
The airport management feels that it will take until 2025 for Auckland Airport’s passenger footfall to reach 2019 levels, which is about a year behind the initial projection of 2024.