Adelaide Airport has reported a 30 per cent lift in full year net profit on the back of record international passengers in 2013/14.
The operator of Adelaide and Parafield airports said net profit for the 12 months to June 30 2014, came in at $13.7 million, up from $10.5 million in the prior corresponding period.
Revenue rose eight per cent to $172.1 million, Adelaide Airport said in its annual report.
Adelaide Airport was Australia’s fastest growing capital city airport in 2013/14, chairman Rob Chapman says, with new services such as the arrival of Air Asia X and new international flying from Jetstar.
Chapman also highlighted a schedule change from Cathay Pacific that provided direct flights to Hong Kong and same-day connections to mainland China, which had resulted in a significant jump in Chinese visitors to South Australia.
“The new schedule required the regulatory approval of the Federal Minister for Transport to allow flights to arrive in the curfew shoulder period,” Chapman said in the annual report.
“It cannot be underestimated how this service change benefits tourism, opens up export opportunities and ultimately benefits the South Australian community.
“The development of international routes out of Adelaide continues to go from strength to strength.”
At 908,000 travellers, the number of international passengers at Adelaide rose 23 per cent on the prior year and now comprised about 12 per cent of its total traffic.
On the domestic front, passenger numbers rose 3.5 per cent in 2013/14, Adelaide Airport said, with new services from Tigerair and Jetstar adding extra options for travellers.
By contrast, regional traffic declined 4.5 per cent in response to reduced mining and resources activity.
“Regional traffic continued to be weak, largely due to the shrinking mining industry and associated charter services,” Adelaide Airport chief executive Mark Young said in the annual report.
“However, there have been early signs of a turnaround towards the end of the reporting period.”
