AUSTRALIA. Macquarie Airports (MAp) has reported strong year-on-year growth in passenger figures for March in nearly all of its airports, which have been boosted by increased capacity and competition.
Commenting on the results, CEO Kerrie Mather explained: “Total traffic at Sydney Airport for March increased by +8.5% over the corresponding period [in 2004], with international passengers up +12.0%. The increase in international traffic is a direct result of capacity growth on services to London and North Asian routes.
“Brussels Airport’s traffic was up +6.5%, which continues a strong period of growth for calendar year 2005. Marketing of the airport to airlines continues and MAp anticipates that this activity will underpin growth as the airport is transitioned into the MAp portfolio.
“Rome Airport’s traffic was +9.3% up. The result was driven by increased traffic at Fiumicino and Ciampino as low fare carriers easyJet and Ryanair continue to increase capacity at both airports. Ryanair now operates 24 daily services from Ciampino.
“At Birmingham Airport, the introduction of the new bmibaby base in January has enhanced the traffic performance with total traffic improving in March (-1%) compared to February 2005 (-5.1%). The improving performance will be supported over the summer season by the introduction of a range of new services and airlines including the introduction of a range of new low cost services and Air India to Amritsar, Delhi and Toronto.
“Bristol Airport continues to perform very well, up +14.7%, as its dominant position in the South West of England attracts further services offering passengers greater choice. In particular, easyJet continues to expand services and has announced that it will increase the fleet based at Bristol Airport to eight aircraft, flying to a total of 22 destinations, with 66 daily services. In the last year, easyJet has introduced an additional nine new destinations from Bristol Airport, making the airport easyJet’s largest UK base outside of London. easyJet expects over 2.4 million passengers to travel through Bristol on its services in the next 12 months.”
Spotlight on Sydney
The new Sydney Airport services referred to by Mather were new London services introduced by Qantas, in addition to Virgin Atlantic’s daily services which had commenced at the beginning of 2005. North Asia traffic was buoyed by extra capacity from Cathay Pacific and Qantas’ new services to Shanghai.
Following the release of its March 2005 traffic figures, MAp published the third quarter 2005 results for Sydney Airport.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) reached A$373.3 million (US$289.3 million), representing a year-on-year increase of +15.2%. Retail revenues increased by +13.2% to A$113 million (US$87.6 million).
According to Mather, “The retailing business has”¦ contributed positively to the overall performance. MAp and Sydney Airport management have focused on a significant redesign of the Terminal One and T2 retailing and food & beverage precincts. This has resulted in double-digit growth in retail revenues on a quarterly and on a year-to-date basis, as well as improving the shopping and dining experience for passengers.”
Mather added: “The Sydney Airport property portfolio continues to perform well, with the new multi-storey office block now fully leased and occupied. The Accor F1 hotel is now open, the second stage of the DHL freight base development has been completed and works are under way to provide Emirates Airline with a new customer lounge in the International Terminal to meet their growing demand.
“In other airport developments”¦Sydney Airport began preparations for the A380. Sydney Airport will be one of the first airports in the world to benefit from the introduction of the A380 aircraft, and preparations have begun with the first two contracts for airfield works and the installation of aerobridges being awarded in January.”
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