ACI: 2011 pax growth strong, cargo weakens. 2012 pax to increase by less than 5%
ACI released (28-Aug-2012) 2011 World Annual Traffic Report which showed passenger traffic remained strong as cargo traffic weakened. According to ACI, the world's airports handled 5.4 billion passengers, an increase of 5.3% year-on-year, in 2011, a year "plagued with economic uncertainty, natural disasters and sociopolitical upheaval". However, ACI director general Angela Gittens stated, "trade in air cargo was not as resilient to the uncertain economic climate that was primarily brought on by the debt default risks in European and North American economies" adding, "In the latter half of 2011, with business confidence deteriorating, cargo traffic contracted in tandem". Cargo volume at the world's airports was almost flat at 93.1 million tonnes. Details include:
- Passenger numbers: 5440 million, +5.3%;
- Africa: 152.3 million, -3.5%;
- Asia Pacific: 1558 million, +7.0%;
- Europe: 1570 million, +7.0%;
- Latin America-Caribbean: 408.2 million, +8.5%;
- Middle East: 221.9 million, +7.7%;
- North America: 1530 million, +1.8%;
- Cargo volume: 93.1 million tonnes, +0.2%;
- Africa: 1.8 million, +2.6%;
- Asia Pacific: 34.0 million, -0.5%;
- Europe: 18.2 million, +1.4%;
- Latin America-Caribbean: 5.0 million, +7.6%;
- Middle East: 5.9 million, +1.2%;
- North America: 28.3 million, -1.3%;
- Aircraft movements: 77.1 million, +2.3%;
- Africa: 2.6 million, -0.6%;
- Asia Pacific: 14.5 million, +5.9%;
- Europe: 20.1 million, +3.4%;
- Latin America-Caribbean: 7.8 million, +5.2%;
- Middle East: 2.0 million, +2.3%;
- North America: 30.0 million, -0.5%. [more - Original PR]
ACI: "The traffic outlook for 2012 is mixed. Although passenger traffic in 2012 is expected to grow, the significant slow-down of the economies in the BRIC countries, together with the continued economic troubles in Europe and the United States, means that the overall growth rate in passenger traffic will be at less than 5%. Cargo traffic is expected to show a decline with respect to 2011 levels, mainly driven by the low business and consumer confidence in the largest international economies," Dr Rafael Echevarne, Director of Economics and Programme Development. Source: ACI statement, 28-Aug-2012.