ACI Europe: EU airport passenger traffic back in black, but freight still lags behind in 3Q2013

ACI Europe reported (05-Nov-2013) passenger numbers at European airports increased 3.2% year-on-year in 3Q2013 with EU airports increasing by 1.8% while non-EU airports led by Turkey, Russia, Iceland and Norway recorded an 8.8% growth. Overall freight traffic at European airports showed timid growth at +0.9%, while aircraft movements were almost flat at +0.3%. The airport trade body noted the following airports experienced the highest increase in passenger traffic: Moscow Domodedovo (+10.6%), Antalya (+8.2%), Istanbul Ataturk (+8.0%), Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (+32.1%), Saint Petersburg (+9.9%), Warsaw (+24.9%), Ankara (+16.4), Alicante (+9.7%), Bergen (+8.6%), Porto (+8.1%), and Bucharest (+78.5%). [more - original PR]

ACI Europe: "European passenger traffic is getting more surefooted, thanks to the improving performance at EU airports which started at the end of the winter. However, the recovery remains quite soft, and generally contrasted between Southern Europe and the rest of the continent. Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus continue to lose passengers, although at a slower pace. As for freight, volumes have also improved, but they still remain below 2010 levels," Olivier Jankovec, Director General. Source: Company statement, 05-Nov-2013.