Kingsford-Smith sees revenue, passenger growth

Sydney Airport has reported revenue and passenger growth. (Sydney Airport)

Sydney Airport has reported revenue and passenger growth over the first half of 2012 thanks to a trickle of new international services.

Revenue for the six months ending in June rose 6.6 per cent to $503.6 million while passenger traffic ticked up 1.6 per cent to 17.7 million, the airport said. Sydney Airport Ltd, which owns 85 per cent of the airport, reported profits of $88.6 million for the half-year, up from a $273.5 million loss in the first half of 2011.

The first six months of 2012 saw AirAsia X commence daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and budget carrier Scoot begin flights from Singapore. While domestic growth continued to lag, airport CEO Kerrie Mather said Tiger Airways’ establishment of a Sydney base and expected capacity increases from Qantas and Virgin Australia would drive numbers higher in the second half of the year.

Revenues from parking and ground transport fees rose 8 per cent to $56.4 million, the airport said.