Auckland Airport innovation and expertise earn airport marketing award

Auckland Airport’s innovative marketing activities have been recognised with a Highly Commended award at the prestigious Routes Asia Airport Marketing Awards, held in Mumbai.

Auckland Airport received the Highly Commended award in the ‘Airports under 20 million passengers’ category, amidst strong competition such as Bangalore International Airport, Hyderabad International Airport, Surabaya International Airport, Kansai International Airport and Siem Reap Airport.  Clark International Airport in the Philippines was the winner of this category.

The awards, voted on by airlines and industry experts, recognise airports whose marketing efforts have made a real impact on future airline network development plans.

Auckland Airport general manager aeronautical commercial, Glenn Wedlock, said “It is fantastic to receive this award from airlines acknowledging our involvement in marketing initiatives. Strong airline marketing partnerships are a crucial part of our business model and we strongly believe that by working closely with airlines and with other key industry partners, we can create a greater market opportunity for airlines and for NZ Inc.”

“Auckland Airport is continuously looking for innovative ways to grow New Zealand’s tourism industry and drive tourism traffic and we work closely with airline partners, local agencies and national government to achieve this.”

“Route development brings material economic benefit to the country.  For example, the average international spend per visit by international visitors was $2,300 for the year ended 2012.  So one international wide body service carrying 300 passengers, half of which are tourists, has an approximate spend of $345,000, meaning a daily service is worth around $126m to the NZ economy.”

Mr. Wedlock says “Over the past four years we have worked collaboratively with airlines to successfully launch multiple daily services.  We have also spear-headed successful campaigns to raise awareness of New Zealand as a destination which have seen celebrities from important emerging markets, such as Indonesia and China, come and experience New Zealand whilst promoting the country through their social media channels.”

Mr Wedlock said, “It is great to have such strong airline partnerships and to achieve successes together and for the wider industry and growing our countries major export industry, tourism.”