The country's second biggest airport, Christchurch, has posted a record profit on the back of higher passenger numbers and new services.Key numbers for the 12 months ended June compared with a year ago: Net profit $96.3m vs $74.8m Underlying profit $64.9m vs $49.7m Revenue 273m vs $245m Final dividend $51.5m vs $44.7mThe airport's chief executive, Justin Watson, said there had been strong growth across the business with previous investment decisions paying off."A lot of long-term work came together. We grew our core planes and passengers' business, continued to expand our property and freight platform, considerably improved the experience for our customers and delivered important infrastructure."Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson.RNZ / Nate McKinnonHe said the result had been achieved in a challenging aviation environment such as aircraft and engine shortages, fuel price uncertainty and geopolitical disruption.Watson said its diversified business provided stability through those challenges, with growth across aviation and commercial activities supported by its property portfolio.The number of passengers increased 7 percent to 6.8 million, with international numbers rising nearly 13 percent to more than 1.7m.It has said the summer season will be the busiest with increased services to Singapore, several Australian destinations, Japan, the Pacific, and the US.It has given its terminal a makeover, opened a new freight hub, and is close to firing up a solar farm on its airport land."The result is a stronger airport, with the capacity to keep investing in the things that matter to our customers, our city and the South Island."The airport, which is three quarter owned by the Christchurch City Council and the balance by the Crown, delivered an increased dividend of $51.5m.