News: AIA builds on Asian growth strategy

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Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX:AIA) says its Asian growth strategy is building momentum.

The airline has announced China Airlines will commence air-services to Taipei this January and Malaysia Airlines will add an additional service to Kuala Lumpur in March next year.

The initiatives and expanded services by other airlines over the past 12 months represent a 16 per cent increase to the number of seats offered on Asian routes connecting with Auckland Airport, which equates to an extra 375,000 seats per annum over last year.

Auckland International Airport CEO Simon Moutter says growth in trade and tourism is critical to New Zealand, and it is important that the airport attracts a stronger share of growth market tourism, especially out of Asia.

General manager aeronautical business development Glenn Wedlock says these additional Asian connections offer travellers a lot more options, especially to the high growth markets of South East Asia, China and India.

Auckland International Airport booked a net profit of $24.13 million in the year to 30 June 2010.