Aussies are helping keep up visitor arrivals at Auckland Airport which remains hopeful of weathering global fuel shocks caused by the Iran war.
The airport says that in the 12 months ending in March, visitors from Australia, United States and China made up 65% of overseas arrivals at the airport, spending about NZ$7.6 million a day in Auckland.
Airport chief executive Carrie Hurihanganui says a boost in trans-Tasman seats and marketing means Australia remains New Zealand’s largest visitor market; Aussies spend around NZ$1.5 million in Auckland every day.
But they remain wary about the threat of surging aviation fuel prices, she says.
“In the past year, we’ve seen a step change in connectivity across the Tasman with airlines adding more flights and seats into Auckland,” Hurihanganui says.
“That’s down to collaboration between airlines, airport and tourism partners … to keep New Zealand front of mind for Australian travellers.
“What we’re seeing now is that investment paying off with stronger demand returning, competitive airfares and more (Aussies) choosing Auckland (and New Zealand) as a holiday destination.”
AUSSIES VISIT AS PRICE FEARS GROW
In the year to March, seat capacity between Australia and Auckland grew 4% thanks to 11 extra Jetstar and Qantas flights per week fuelling a 9% increase in Aussies visiting the city.
Over last summer (October 2025 to March 2026), Aussies filled 42% of seat capacity at Auckland Airport, up 5% on the year before that, the airport says.
Hurihanganui remains cautious about the figures which doesn’t account for the full impact of the global fuel shocks.
“While we recognise this data doesn’t reflect the fuel price escalation that played out since late February, making the forward look less certain, the fundamentals for our city remain strong,” she says.
“Clearly the escalation in fuel price is an issue we’re monitoring closely. We’ve seen airlines trim some capacity and consolidate flights since early March but most are using ticket prices and fuel surcharges to manage through the challenge.
“What we’re hearing from airlines is that they remain optimistic about New Zealand’s appeal as a destination.”
Across March and April, airlines trimmed international capacity, but seat availability remains 1% higher than the same two months last year.
“As fuel costs spiked, airlines have responded as expected. We also lost some capacity with the reduction of Emirates services and the pause until June of regular Qatar flights,” Hurihanganui says.
“But we are seeing traveller demand holding up. Those two months saw 27% more Chinese, 8% more US and 4% more Australian travellers – evidence that New Zealand is still a desirable place to visit.”
In March and April there were 1.77 million international travellers at Auckland Airport, up 4% on March and April 2025 as load factors rose by 3% over 2025’s total to 86% in 2026; the airport’s visitor capacity still remains 7% below pre-pandemic levels.
Tataki Auckland Unlimited director Destination Annie Dundas says Auckland’s overseas profile is strengthening as the city reconnects to key visitor markets after the pandemic.
“Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on growing Auckland’s visibility in priority international markets …” she says.
“What’s encouraging is that we’re now seeing more visitors choosing to spend longer in Auckland and engaging … across the region.”
Of Auckland’s other key visitor markets during last summer, Chinese arrivals rose 12% year-on-year while US arrivals recorded a flat 13% of seat capacity.
US VISITORS ADD VALUE
American visitors are spending around NZ$5 million a day in Auckland which the airport says reflects strong demand for New Zealand as a bucket list destination fed by six airlines flying direct from six major US cities.
Hurihanganui says the US visitor market has proven to be a high-value one as visitors seek adventures and other experiences.
“We have seen a 1% growth in arrivals from the US over the past year and they remain among our highest-spending visitors,” she says.
“New Zealand is a bucket list destination – travellers are treating their trip as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“That’s translating into longer stays, more travel choices and visitors spending time in Auckland and right across the country.”
CHINESE BUNDLING AUST AND NZ
The airport notes that Chinese visitor arrivals are growing after recent visa changes with strong increases in direct arrivals and transit arrivals via Australia as they spend around $1.1 million a day in Auckland.
“We’ve seen some clear shifts in the Chinese market over the past year,” Hurihanganui says.
“Changes to visa settings supported a 17% increase in visitors arriving directly from China alongside a 147% rise in those travelling via Australia across the November to March months.
“Auckland remains the main gateway for Chinese visitors with total arrivals up 20% year-on-year.”
MORE AIRPORT NEWS: Chinese airlines expand services Down Under
