ACI: Enduring Growth of 4.7% in Passenger Traffic for the Month of May

08-Jul-2013

The month of May was a banner month for the world's top airports. Of the top twenty airports ranked by passenger traffic, only two airports experienced year over year declines in passenger numbers. Overall passenger traffic increased by +4.7% in May across the globe. Airports also reported a significant increase of +6.9% in international passenger traffic whereas domestic passenger traffic increased by +2.8% as compared to May 2012. International traffic remains buoyant in the Middle East particularly at key hubs around the region. For instance, Dubai (DXB) and Istanbul (IST) continue along their relentless growth path achieving double digit growth over +18% for the month of May. Moving further east, Kuala Lumpur (KUL) achieved remarkable growth of +22.3% in May.

Air freight continues to maintain a sluggish pace with virtually no growth in the volume of traffic worldwide. International freight was flat for the month, while domestic freight traffic decreased by -1.1%. From June 2012 to May 2013, total freight volume increased only slightly by +0.3%. In analysing the world's top twenty airports with respect to freight traffic, as much as 60% of these airports faced year-over-year declines in air freight traffic. Jakarta (CGK) and Dubai (DXB) are the only hubs among the world's top airports to experience significant gains of +18.3% and 11.9% respectively.

ACI World's Economics Director, Rafael Echevarne commented, "International travel is poised for continued growth, as we approach the high season for vacations over the holiday months. All regions recorded robust growth rates in international passenger traffic. Although Europe's domestic market contracted in May, international traffic remains strong with growth close to +7%. Nevertheless, with regards to air freight, emerging markets are faced with weaker demand from North America and Europe. As a result, we are witnessing slowing growth or declines at major air freight exporters across Asia-Pacific. With a strong recovery in the Eurozone doubtful in the short run, the sluggishness in the air freight market will persist."