In a further sign that passengers are returning to the skies, Sydney Airport has recorded double-digit increases in both domestic and international passenger numbers in February.
Sydney Airport’s domestic passenger numbers rose 12.3 per cent in February, compared with the prior corresponding period, while the number of international travellers was up 11.8 per cent, owner MAp Group said today.
MAp chief executive Kerrie Mather said increased capacity from carriers Tiger Airways and Qantas Airways Ltd subsidiary Jetstar contributed to the lift in passenger numbers.
‘‘February traffic has also been positively impacted by recent capacity increases and the later timing of Chinese New Year compared with 2009,’’ Ms Mather said in a statement.
Traffic from China rose 31 per cent in February, compared with the same month a year ago. Passengers numbers from the US (up 20 per cent), France (up 18 per cent) and New Zealand (up 15 per cent) also rose.
The number of Australian-based passengers increased by 11 per cent.MAp Group is the former Macquarie Group satellite fund that became a stand-alone entity in October last year after paying a one-off termination fee of $345 million.
News of more passengers passing through Sydney Airport adds to recent announcements from Australia’s two biggest carriers, Qantas and Virgin Blue, to boost flights and lift capacity.
Qantas said in February it planned to use the bigger Boeing 747 aircraft instead of the A330 for selected flights between Sydney and Tokyo from July to ‘‘meet increased demand’’.
Meanwhile, Virgin Blue said it would begin a daily service between Sydney and the central Australian tourist destination of Uluru from August.
Overseas airlines Cathay Pacific and United Airlines have also flagged that they will add flights out of Sydney.
Apart from its 74 per cent ownership of Sydney Airport, MAp also has a 30.8 per cent stake in Copenhagen Airport and 36 per cent holding of Brussels Airport.Traffic at Copenhagen increased 10.4 per cent in February, compared to the prior corresponding period, and was up 4.9 per cent at Brussels.
‘‘This continues the positive recovery in traffic numbers across the MAp portfolio and all of our airports are benefiting from additional capacity announcements,’’ Ms Mather said.
MAp also holds an interest in a number of Mexican airports.
MAp securities closed 3 cents lower at $3.05.
AAP
