Sydney Airport Grows Revenue, Passengers

SYDNEY Airport has grown revenue and passenger traffic in the first half of 2012 as new airlines started international services. 

Revenue for the six months to June 30, 2012, grew 6.6 per cent to $503.6 million, Sydney Airport said today.

The number of passengers passing through the airport grew 1.6 per cent to 17.7 million.
Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather noted that in the first six months of 2012, AirAsia X had commenced daily flights from Kuala Lumpur, while Scoot had begun flights from Singapore.
"Combined with ongoing strong performances in the Chinese and Indian markets, these new services have led to significant inbound tourism growth," Ms Mather said.

While domestic passenger numbers were steady in the first half, Ms Mather said Tiger Airways' establishment of a Sydney base, and capacity additions from Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar over the rest of 2012, would help drive an "ongoing recovery in the domestic market".

 Sydney Airport Ltd, the Australian Securities Exchange-listed company that owns 84.8 per cent of Sydney Airport, reported net profit of $88.6 million for the first half of calendar 2012, compared with a loss of $273.5 million in the prior corresponding half.

It declared an interim distribution of 11 cents per stapled security, and the company reaffirmed guidance for a full year distribution of 21 cents per stapled security.

The other two major shareholders in Australia's largest international gateway are Hochtief and its affiliates, which hold 12.1 per cent, and Australian super funds with 3.1 per cent.
At 10.30am AEST, Sydney Airport was steady at $3.16.

Sydney Airport said revenue from parking and other ground transport fees grew eight per cent to $56.4 million as it added more car spaces and introduced online offers and new marketing campaigns.