A record number of international passengers through Queenstown Airport for the first three months of the 2009/10 financial year was "simply a fantastic outcome", airport chief executive Steve Sanderson said yesterday.
International passenger numbers grew by 23% to 49,889 for the period to September 30, up from 40,560 in the corresponding period last year.
Passenger numbers were boosted by a 15% increase in international flights from the east coast of Australia.
Mr Sanderson said the planes were travelling at 85% capacity, up from 81% last year.
Airlines aimed for 75% loading to ensure the route was viable.
"The continued uptake of seats on direct flights from Australia demonstrates the attractiveness of the winter package Queenstown has to offer," he said.
Domestic passengers were also up 5% to 168,545 from 160,519 last year, although the number of flights was down 20%.
However, they had run at 81% capacity, up from 75% the year before.
Overall, Queenstown Airport had 218,434 passengers for the three months from July to September.
This was up 9% from 200,398 in the corresponding period last year.
Other winter figures show it was a bumper season for Queenstown.
NZSki said the number of visitors to Queenstown skifields were up 30% on last year.
The company declined to give actual figures, citing commercial sensitivity.
Statistics New Zealand figures released this month showed Queenstown guest nights were up 16.6% on last winter.
The 101 moteliers in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts recorded 187,330 guest nights in June, July and August, up from 160,625 in the corresponding period last year.
New Zealand Motel Association president and Queenstown Motel Apartments owner Peter Smith said July and August were "good strong months" and motel owners were busier than last year.
However, September was quieter.
"We were up 5% or 6% for July and August but down fractionally in September," he said.
