DUNEDIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LIMITED, Annual Report 2009 October 5 2009
Comment by Richard Walls, Chairman
A bumpy year saw Dunedin International Airport Limited end up with its total revenue of $7,548,000 down 1.4% against the previous year and a higher after tax deficit than expected of $907,842. This reflects the reduction in revenues received from international services and a reduction in the value of shares held in Fonterra of $186,643.
On the up side, the airport had an 8.7% increase in passenger numbers to 770,206, unlike many other airports in New Zealand and around the world.
The increase came from a 12.8% lift in domestic passenger numbers to 719,787 offsetting the decrease of 28.3% in international passenger numbers to 50,419.
Also on the credit side is a strengthened cash flow resulting in cash held at 30 June of $1,232,321 an increase of $1,362,778 over last year.
Trans-Tasman tourism numbers dramatically decreased following the decision by Air New Zealand to withdraw some scheduled services to Brisbane and, in particular, Sydney.
Ultimately, it has meant that Dunedin did not benefit from the significant increase in Australian visitors to New Zealand, in particular for skiing holidays and access to the Central Otago Rail Trail, that could have been anticipated given the continued ‘on-the ground’ work in Australia with travel wholesalers undertaken by Tourism Dunedin and Project Gateway.
That work is now being complemented by the increased focus of Tourism New Zealand in the Australian market on “selling the regional gateways to New Zealand”. These have particular appeal for those who like to take “short-break holidays” and are seeking variety. That involves getting people to where they want to go as quickly as possible.
We therefore welcome the introduction of new year-round services by Pacific Blue to Brisbane that commenced on 1 September and look forward to “new arrivals” on the Trans Tasman.
We also welcome the tentative indication from Air New Zealand reported in Saturday’s Otago Daily Times that they will continue their seasonal service over NZ’s winter months to Brisbane in addition to those being offered over December and January to Sydney and Melbourne.
I am also pleased to announce that continued pressure on airport carparking will be relieved early in the New Year with the addition of further 100 carparks. This is the second such addition over the past 12 months and more will progressively follow as the rental car company service depots presently within the carpark are relocated to a new site.
This move, signalled two years ago, has been long delayed by factors outside the company’s control.
Its completion will enable the carpark entry and internal lanes to finally achieve the layout anticipated when the new terminal was constructed and at an overall cost of just on $4 million.
The full Company report will be available on DIAL’s FLY DUNEDIN website at: www.flydunedin.com either later today or tomorrow.
Richard Walls
Chairman
Dunedin International Airport Limited
5 October 2009
For further information:
Richard Walls, Chairman: 467 2819 or 021 532 291
John McCall, Chief Executive: 470 0404 or 027 436 2288
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