Ann: GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport announce

• Release Date: 10/03/14 17:14
• Summary: GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport announces sistership with Mumbai Airp
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					AIA
10/03/2014 15:14
GENERAL

REL: 1514 HRS Auckland International Airport Limited

GENERAL: AIA: AIAL Auckland Airport announces sistership with Mumbai Airp

Auckland Airport announces sistership with Mumbai Airport

Auckland Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mumbai Airport
that will see the two airports form a 'sister airport' relationship.
The airport sistership has been established with objectives that include
increasing international air links and tourism between and beyond both
airports' respective countries.
Glenn Wedlock, Auckland Airport's general manager aeronautical commercial,
says that the sistership is important as India is a key market for New
Zealand and is a key focus for Tourism New Zealand over the next three years.

"With over 31,250 Indian visitor arrivals to New Zealand in the last 12
months, and over 80 per cent of these visitors entering through Auckland
Airport, we consider India to be a very important market for us," says Mr
Wedlock.
"The Indian travel market also represents a huge growth opportunity for New
Zealand tourism," says Mr. Wedlock.  "Our Ambition 2020 strategy targets
69,000 Indian arrivals by 2020 which is equivalent to 14 per cent growth per
annum over the next six years."
"Recently we have seen some impressive growth from the Indian market,"
continues Mr. Wedlock. "January 2014 saw Indian visitors to Auckland
increase by 16 per cent when compared to the same period last year."

"Within India, Mumbai is a key market for New Zealand and we believe this
sister airport relationship with Mumbai International Airport will facilitate
further traffic growth between the two key hubs through joint ventures," says
Mr Wedlock.  "We will also be working closely together to stimulate more
Indian visitor arrivals to New Zealand in the peak Indian travel times of May
and December, thus increasing growth in New Zealand's shoulder tourism
season."
Mr Naveen Chawla, Vice President Aero Marketing from GVK Mumbai International
Airport says, "In the dynamic aviation scenario, airports worldwide are
seeing the benefits of closer ties through 'sister' agreements. Mumbai and
Auckland are both leading gateways and the agreement would promote
co-operation between the two airports in developing the traffic flow between
the two countries. The sister airport partnership between these two major
gateways will also bring in best practices to improve services offered to
passengers, airlines and all other stakeholders."
"This association between both our airports is very timely.  The new
integrated Terminal 2 at Mumbai with enhanced airport infrastructure is
capable of handling the expected growth in the passenger traffic and can also
accommodate all types of aircraft with adequate parking bays. The whole
airport experience is enhanced with customised retail, food and beverage,
branded duty free and overall passenger experience," continues Mr Chawla.
"Mumbai is the Financial and Commercial capital of India. The city is
strategically located and connects to 29 Indian cities within two and a half
hours of flying time. It is also considered as the city of dreams and is home
to India's biggest entertainment industry, "Bollywood". Mumbai is also
strongly positioned as a major aviation market in the Asia Pacific region."
"We are confident that this partnership would enhance the famous "Spirit of
Mumbai", and will also enable visitors from New Zealand to appreciate the
city's unique culture, values, cuisine and traditions," finishes Mr Chawla.
Mr Wedlock adds that between Auckland and Mumbai Airports there are rich
connections through South East Asian hubs that are popular choices by Indian
travellers.
"We have recently seen a number of announcements by airlines regarding
capacity increases from South East Asian hubs to Auckland, which will help to
accommodate growth from the Indian market," says Mr Wedlock.
"As well as this, the Cricket World Cup is to be hosted in New Zealand next
year.  This will certainly provide a great opportunity to showcase New
Zealand to Indian visitors as they come to support the Indian team defend
their world title."

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Katie Moore
+64 9 255 9061
+64 27 473 1989
End CA:00248019 For:AIA    Type:GENERAL    Time:2014-03-10 15:14:48