The company, which owns a share of Queenstown Airport, reported an operating profit of $380 million for the period, up 7% on the $355.2 million reported in the previous corresponding period.
A final dividend of 7.3 cents per share was declared.
Revenue increased 6.9% to $508.5 million from $475.8million in the pcp and the reported profit rose 3.5% to $223.5million from $215.9 million.
The underlying profit, which companies are increasingly using to strip out abnormalities in their financial year, rose 3.8% to $176.4 million.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms said the result was marginally below expectations at operating profit level but lower than anticipated interest costs meant the underlying profit was above management guidance as strong passenger growth proved to have a positive effect.
''In line with our assumption, revenue gains were offset slightly by higher remuneration from the firm's option scheme. Looking ahead, the incentive scheme has been altered as the board is amending the previous plan by capping potential future rewards. This is a positive.''
Across the revenue segments, the company marginally beat Craigs' forecasts, he said. In particular, retail was positive.
Among the highlights to impress AIA chief executive Adrian Littlewood were the new routes and markets. Increased access to both emerging and established markets were announced in the year.
New flights were announced in the year from Philippine Airlines, China Eastern and Air China.
''We remain optimistic about China. There will always be fluctuations but the fundamentals for China remain quite strong.''
They included ongoing urbanisation and growth in China's middle class, increasing capacity on routes to New Zealand and the relatively weaker kiwi dollar, he said.
Jetstar expansion was set to drive improved regional competition.
Momentum from the second quarter was maintained with strong, broad and high quality growth in international passenger numbers, Mr Littlewood said.
At a glance
• Passenger movements up 5% to 15.8million
• Revenue up 6.9% to $508.5million
• Operating profit up 7% to $380million
• Reported profit up 3.5% to $223.5million
• Underlying profit up 3.8% to $176.4million
• Underlying earnings per share up 12.9% to 14.8c.
