AIX pax traffic stable in Mar-2011, but up 3.4% in 1Q

Australian Infrastructure Fund (AIX) reports passenger traffic flat in Mar-2011. Passenger numbers across the portfolio are up 3.4% in 1Q2011. Mar-2011 passenger traffic highlights are as follows:

• Portfolio passenger numbers: stable;
  • Perth Airport: +5.2%;
  • Asia Pacific Airports Corp. (Melbourne and Launceston): +1.9%;
  • Queensland Airports Ltd (Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa): -3.5%;
  • NT Airports: -2.1%;
  • Sydney Airport: -0.1%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Athens: -16.1%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Dusseldorf: +4.1%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Hamburg: -0.4%.

In 1Q2011, passenger traffic highlights include:

• Portfolio passenger numbers: +3.4%;
  • Perth Airport: 7.8%;
  • Asia Pacific Airports Corp. (Melbourne and Launceston): +5.0%
  • Queensland Airports Ltd (Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa): +2.3%;
  • NT Airports: -0.3%;
  • Sydney Airport: +1.5%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Athens: -15.8%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Dusseldorf: +7.2%;
  • Hochtief Airport Capital - Hamburg: +3.6.

AIX: "While some of our airports are continuing to experience the effects of recent natural disasters, which impact negatively on passenger numbers generally, our portfolio of Australian airport assets is well diversified to ensure that the sound international growth at Melbourne, along with the strong growth at Perth Airport, offsets the challenges being faced elsewhere in the portfolio. In Europe, Athens Airport continues to be affected by the wider Greek economic environment, while the German airports have performed strongly in the year to date, reflecting the stronger German economy." Jeff Pollock, CEO. Source: Company Statement, 03-May-2011.