Now restrictions are lifted, what is happening with Airport Audiences?
Domestic and International performance are both on a steady and sustained growth trajectory as the initial impact and restrictions of COVID have passed.
Several main events initially contributed to the return of passengers:
From 21st June 2022, passengers no longer require proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter New Zealand.
From 4th July 2022, travellers with working visas could apply to enter New Zealand, and from 31st July 2022, all visa categories (including tourist, visitor and student visas) reopened from anywhere in the world.
On 13th September 2022, the government concluded the traffic light system response to COVID-19. Airlines and terminals have now lifted mask-wearing requirements onboard and within the terminal.
And there are several factors in play that will contribute to the continued growth of Airport Passengers:
International destinations removed arrival testing and lifted restrictions on arrival testing, making it easier for international travellers.
Additional airlines returning to the New Zealand market (American Airlines, Air Canada) and Qantas pushing their own Auckland to New York route should result in more competitive flight prices in the next six months. The return of American Airlines and United Airlines will result in a 20 per cent month-on-month increase in capacity to US destinations
Airlines increasing the number of flights and routes available will mean greater flexibility when planning a holiday or business trip – appealing to a wider audience.
Five airlines will be flying between Auckland and North America offering up to 60 flights a week over the summer period.
Auckland will be connected to eight non-stop destinations in North America during summer 2022/2023; Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, New York, Honolulu, and Vancouver.
American Airlines is advertising cut-price return Economy fares starting at under $1500 for flights throughout its big US network.
Air New Zealand's Chicago non-stop connection is restarting.
With the warmer weather upon us and the holiday season fast approaching, both School and Summer; we will see an increasingly busy time for passengers and advertisers in Aotearoa's airport terminals starting in October, with Auckland Airport predicting it to be the busiest school holiday period for three years as travel continues to recover strongly.
As Airport audiences return, advertisers once again will be able to tap into this unique channel, allowing brands to connect with a diverse and captive audience with high dwell times resulting in increased levels of engagement. From the approach to the airport through to the departure gates, audiences are impacted and influenced at every step of their journey via various touch-points, and, due to the exaggerated mood state of travellers, brands are given the opportunity to connect with this audience who are alert, receptive, primed to spend and want to be entertained - the ideal environment for any brand.