ACI figures show return to growth

Posted: Thu 18 Mar, 2010 12:00 AM

Preliminary results from Geneva-based Airports Council International indicate 2.7 percent decline in global passenger traffic for 2009. 

The figures reflect steep declines in the first quarter of last year in most regions but a return to growth activity by year-end. Total cargo volumes retracted by 8.2 percent, while aircraft movements were 5.5 percent below the 2008 level. The preliminary report is based on input from over 900 airports. Among the top 20 busiest airports worldwide, Beijing, Dubai, Bangkok and San Francisco were the only airports registering new growth. Beijing leaped to rank 3 with growth of 17 percent.

ABOVE: Kuala Lumpur International Airport is operated by PATA member Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said, “We are pleased to see that the global results for 2009 were less depressed than originally anticipated. We recognise the economic cautions ahead but early indications for January and February confirm continuing global traffic stabilisation with reports of renewed domestic and international demand in many localities.”

ACI stated that ‘the first two quarters of 2009 represented the peak of the crisis for global air traffic with passenger volumes down by eight percent and five percent respectively. Cargo declines were even more dramatic for the first two quarters, down by 20 percent and 17 percent respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2008’.

ACI preliminary results for 2009 compared to final results 2008:

- Total passengers:                                        4.4 billion (down 2.7%)

- Total international passengers:            1.8 billion (down 4.2%)

- Total cargo (including mail):                 71.3 million metric tonnes (down 8.2%)

- Total international freight:                     41.7 million metric tonnes (down 10.1%)

- Total aircraft movements:                      63.9 million (down 5.5%)

The final confirmed report will be published in July 2010 and these figures are subject to slight variation.

ACI is a non-profit organisation whose prime purpose is to represent the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations. ACI has 575 members who operate over 1600 airports in 179 countries and territories.

Enquiries to: Nancy Gautier, Director Communications at ACI World ngautier@aci.aero 

Tel: +41 22 717 8562.



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