Auckland Airport CEO: Rapid growth within 'last few years'

Auckland Airport CEO Adrian Littlewood stated the airport received rapid growth "in only the last few years", with passenger traffic increasing by 26% from early 2014 to 2017. The number of international airlines serving the airport also increased from 18 to 29 within the three years. Mr Littlewood said this growth has helped "fuel New Zealand's recent tourism boom and bring real economic growth to our cities and regions" this encouraged competition, reduce airfares and "provided more travel options for Kiwis". As previously reported by CAPA, tourism surpassed dairy as New Zealand's top export earner since late 2016. [more - original PR]