Macquarie Airports Ltd reports that Aeroporti di Roma's EBITDA decreased by 1.7% to $256.7m for the year to December 31, 2006, on revenue down 2.5% to $572.2m, although retail revenues were up by 14.4%.

Operating costs were $315.6m, compared to $325.9m last year. Macquarie Airports Ceo Kerrie Mather said: ‘AdR experienced robust growth in non-aeronautical revenues in 2006 increasing 7.5% on the previous corresponding period, driven by retail and advertising revenue. ‘This performance, however, was largely offset by a decrease in aeronautical revenues as a result of the reduction in chargeable fuel royalties and the elimination of night surcharges.’
Mather added that traffic grew by 6.7% to 35.1m passengers for the full year. ‘This strong traffic performance has continued through January and February with growth of 7.9%,? she said.
Retail revenues increased 14.4%, driven primarily by a 20.7% increase in concession retailing due to the opening of new branded shops, the refurbishment or substitution of 1,100sq m of retail space and the addition of over 1,500sqm of retail space. Direct retail has also performed strongly, with duty free revenue increasing by 10.8%.