SWITZERLAND. Unique (Zurich Airport) yesterday unveiled a +13.5% rise in 2004 revenues to CHF637 million as profits climbed to CHF17.3 million from CHF3.8 million a year earlier.
Despite significant new infrastructure deriving from the fifth expansion stage, operating costs were only marginally above those of previous years.
Unique said the year was dominated by the completion of the latest expansion stage, which was celebrated with the opening of the retail-dominated Airside Center on 15 September 2004.
Passenger figures saw the first annual gain in three years. The +12.1% increase in local passengers managed to more than compensate for a loss in transfer passengers.
Aviation business contributed 57% and non-aviation business 43% to total revenues. Non-aviation revenues rose +7% to CHF275 million which was mainly attributable to the implementation of new infrastructure during 2003/04 (parking, Dock-E, expansion of airport shopping).
During the year under review 17.3 passengers flew to or from Zurich Airport. Local passenger numbers (origin or destination in Zurich) were +12.1% above previous year and close to the all time high of the year 2000. The continued reduction in transfer passengers is attributable to the resized longhaul capacity of SWISS, whose total market share moved from 56% to 48%.
Scheduled passengers amounted to 15.3 million (plus +0.7% over 2003) and passengers on unscheduled flights increased to 1.9 million (plus +6.6% versus 2003).
