Domestic aircraft flying into Wellington airport were on average three quarters full in July even though there were more seats available, majority owner Infratil said.
The number of domestic passengers using the airport in July rose 16 percent on the previous year. Planes were on average 75 percent full, which was above the level in June, and in line with last July despite the 16 percent increase in seat capacity.
This went against a global trend of declining capacity in response to increased fuel costs and weakening demand for air travel.
The number of international passengers travelling through the airport was above the previous year by 7 percent following a 5 percent increase in capacity.
There was a 6 percent reduction in international passengers in June, which Infratil put down to weather not economic factors.
An average load factor of 77.5 percent on international flights was achieved during the low season for trans-Tasman travel.
Pacific Blue increased its Brisbane schedule from three to five times per week from June 20.
Infratil cited the strong passenger numbers as evidence of the power of airline competition, which led the infrastructure investor toargue Government should back off with regulation.