Is Auckland International Airport Ltd a good bet for income and growth?

Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX:AIA) and Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX:SYD) are both seeing rapid growth in Chinese visitors.

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Defensive investors with an eye on the long term should consider monopoly type infrastructure assets such as Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA).

This morning Auckland Airport posted strong passenger growth numbers as international passengers were up 5.4% in February 2015 (compared to February 2014), with the key growth driver being a surge in Chinese visitors over the Chinese New Year travel period.

The 1.4 billion people of China are travelling increasingly more and this is a trend set to accelerate with Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD) also reporting a 23.7% boost in Chinese visitors in February.

For Auckland Airport in February Chinese visitors were the commonest non-Australia and New Zealand arrivals. The amount arriving almost double the numbers of visitors from the United States, the nearest rival.

Both Sydney and Auckland airport generate revenues through aeronautical and non-aeronautical fees. The monopoly like positions provide leverage to increase airline, car-parking, or retail rental fees as most people or airline operators have no alternative but to use the airports.

Both businesses are also able to save on costs through technological improvements and streamlined processes. A prime recent example being ePassports, which use computer chips and biometrics to let certain international passengers pass border control on an automated basis.

Unsurprisingly, both Sydney and Auckland airports have been bid up in price by investors keen to lock in decent yields backed up by solid long-term prospects for earnings growth.

Travel is an international growth industry but investments in the sector should be part of a balanced portfolio as it could take a significant hit if there were a terrorist act or global health epidemic.

Motley Fool contributor Tom Richardson has no financial interest in any company mentioned. You can find him on Twitter @tommyr345  The Motley Fool’s purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool’s free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead.  This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

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