Amid the decline of incoming international passengers, the influx of Chinese tourists at the Auckland International Airport has grown 44.4 per cent in May to 12,443 individuals.

However, total international passenger movements in May dropped 2.9 per cent to 500,064 from a year ago due to the easing in services to and from Asia and Australia as well as the scheduled exit by Qantas on the Auckland-Los Angeles route, www.scoop.co.nz reported, citing government data released over the weekend.

Domestic passenger movements, meanwhile, jumped 4.4 per cent to 439,195 in the fifth month of the year versus a year earlier.

Short-term visitor arrival figures grew marginally at 1 per cent to 140,800, of which 51 per cent were visitors from China at 12,900, the highest-ever, data further showed.

China has been New Zealand's second largest inbound market target behind Australia for the third month in a row now.

Auckland International Airport aims for more Asian arrivals to fuel growth over the next decade, www.scoop.co.nz reported.