Auckland Airport has welcomed new research that outlines encouraging visitor spend and international arrivals figures, with room for growth.
Tourists from Australia, the United States, and China, New Zealand’s three largest inbound markets, making up 65 percent of total visitor arrivals at AKL in year-ending March 2026, are spending around NZD 7.6 million a day in Auckland, contributing NZD 2.8 billion annually to the regional economy.
Auckland Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the figures highlight Auckland’s growing role as both New Zealand’s international gateway and a destination in its own right.
“While we recognise this data doesn’t reflect the fuel price escalation that has played out since late February, making the forward look less certain, the fundamentals for our city remain strong,” she said.
“International visitors aren’t just passing through Auckland. They’re choosing to spend time here, eating out, shopping, staying in hotels and exploring the city before travelling further around the country.”
That visitor spend supports thousands of Auckland jobs and businesses, from major hospitality operators through to small tourism providers and local retailers.
“Like other globally successful gateway cities, Auckland benefits from the energy and economic activity visitors bring. With investment in projects like the City Rail Link, the NZICC, waterfront development, new and upgraded hotels, and airport infrastructure, Auckland is becoming a city that can welcome more visitors while staying vibrant and liveable for locals too,” added Hurihanganui.
“Auckland offers a combination of harbours, food, culture, events and natural landscapes, and much of it is within easy reach of the airport and city centre.”
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director Destination, Annie Dundas, said Auckland’s international profile had continued to strengthen as the city reconnected with key visitor markets.
“Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on growing Auckland’s visibility in priority international markets and showcasing the city as a destination worth spending time in, not simply a place to arrive before travelling elsewhere,” said Dundas.
“What’s encouraging is that we’re now seeing more visitors choosing to spend longer in Auckland and engaging with a broader range of experiences across the region.”
Excellent direct flight connectivity and airline seat capacity have been driving growth from New Zealand’s largest visitor markets – Australia, the United States and China.
Over the recent summer, between late October 2025 and late March 2026, Australia made up 42 percent of seat capacity at Auckland Airport, up five percent on the previous year, followed by the United States making up 13 percent of seat capacity, flat on the previous year, and China made up 10 percent of seat capacity, up 12 percent on the previous year.
Hurihanganui said capacity was not only supporting tourism growth but delivering results from targeted campaigns to rebuild key markets.
“International seat capacity overall at Auckland Airport is still around seven percent below pre-pandemic levels, but New Zealand remains well connected to major Australian, North American and Chinese cities,” she said.
“Travellers have more choice than ever, and destinations are competing hard for their holiday dollar. Easy, direct connections, combined with strong destination marketing, play a major role in where people choose to travel.
Hurihanganui said, clearly, the escalation in fuel prices is an issue that was being monitored closely.
“We’ve seen airlines trim some capacity and consolidate flights since early March, but most are using ticket prices and fuel surcharges to manage through the challenge,” she said.
“What we’re hearing from airlines is that they remain optimistic about New Zealand’s appeal as a destination.”
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