February 2026 Monthly traffic update

February 2026 Monthly traffic update
Notes:
This monthly traffic update from Auckland International Airport Limited (AIAL) is generated with assistance and data from the New Zealand Customs Service, Airways New Zealand, Queenstown Airport Corporation and AIAL. International and
Domestic passenger movements are actual. This document is intended for information purposes. It should not be considered a recommendation, offer or invitation to purchase securities. All reasonable steps have been taken to ensure that the
information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
1
Maximum Certificated Take-Off Weight (MCTOW) forms the basis of determining airfield charges at Auckland Airport and is displayed to the nearest tonne.
aucklandairport.co.nz Issued: 16 March 202 6


Key points:
• In February 202 6 there was a total of 873k international passenger movements in the month, a 3% increase compared to the same month in 2025.
Excluding transits, international passenger movements for the month of February 202 6 increased by 4% on the prior year. International seat
capacity increased 4% on the same month last year resulting in average load factors of 83%, a 0.2 percentage point decrease;
• Reviewing nationalities for non-transit international passengers shows New Zealand nationals decreased by 6% on prior year partly as a result of
the Air New Zealand strike action during the month. Chinese nationals increased by 51% on the prior year due to timing of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese nationals traveling during the Chinese New Year period compared to the same holiday period last year increased by 33%;
• Both passenger volume and airline seat capacity on short-haul international routes increased by 3% with load factors of 82%. Passenger
movements and seat capacity on long-haul international routes both increased by 4% resulting in static year on year load factors of 83%;
• Domestic passenger movements increased by 7% in the month of February 202 6 when compared to the same month in the prior year, with seat
capacity increasing 4%, resulting in load factors of 87%. Passenger numbers on the domestic trunk routes grew 10% compared to the year prior
with 8% more seat capacity with load factors of 88%. Regional passenger numbers declined 2% and seat capacity declined by 6% with load
factors increasing 3.8 percentage points to 85%; and
• Queenstown Airport international passenger numbers in February 202 6 increased 26% on the year prior and domestic passengers increased 2%
on the same month last year.
AUCKLAND AIRPORT

Current month

Financial year to date

Rolling 12-month total
Passenger Movements

Current year
Change vs
prior year

Current year
Change vs
prior year

Current year
Change vs
prior year
International passengers

836,917 4%

6,781,835 3%

9,798,808 3%
Transit movements

36,246 -2%

449,382 -8%

647,426 -12%
Total international passengers

873,163 3%

7,231,217 2%

10,446,234 2%
Domestic passengers

739,295 7%

5,803,802 2%

8,562,744 1%
Total passengers

1,612,458 5%

13,035,019 2%

19,008,978 2%






Aircraft Movements




International aircraft movements

4,483 7%

37,258 5%

53,916 3%
Domestic aircraft movements

8,593 -1%

70,239 0%

105,124 0%
Total aircraft movements

13,076 2%

107,497 2%

159,040 1%




MCTOW (tonnes)
1






International MCTOW

455,037 5%

3,625,852 3%

5,256,035 2%
Domestic MCTOW

182,584 4%

1,476,283 3%

2,193,182 3%
Total MCTOW

637,621 5%

5,102,135 3%

7,449,217 2%






QUEENSTOWN AIRPORT

Current month

Financial year to date

Rolling 12 month-total
Passenger Movements

Current year
Change vs
prior year

Current year
Change vs
prior year

Current year
Change vs
prior year
International passengers

81,121 26%

764,029 12%

1,027,938 12%
Domestic passengers

147,784 2%

1,199,103 6%

1,720,282 4%
Total passengers

228,905 9%

1,963,132 8%

2,748,220 7%





International aircraft movements

524 22%

5,089 7%

6,978 8%
Domestic aircraft movements

1,001 0%

8,433 0%

12,296 -1%
Total aircraft movements

1,525 7%

13,522 3%

19,274 2%