ACI World report world airport passenger traffic up 7.1%

ACI World report world airport passenger traffic up 7.1% - traffic highlights in Jan-2011:

• Passenger numbers: 267.5 million, +7.1%;
  • Africa: 8.1 million, +7.3%;
  • Asia Pacific: 80.7 million, +10.2%;
  • Europe: 82.2 million, +7.7%;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: 23.1 million, +8.7%
  • Middle East: 8.6 million, +8.6%;
  • North America: 64.6 million, +2.0%;
  • Domestic passenger numbers: 138.7 million, +6.5%;
  • International passenger numbers: 125.8 million, +7.8%;

• Freight traffic: 5.1 million tonnes, +6.8%;
  • Africa: 39,800, +16.3%;
  • Asia Pacific: 2.1 million, +9.5%;
  • Europe: 999,500 tonnes, +11.1%;
  • Latin America and the Caribbean: 196,400, +3.7%;
  • Middle East: 282,000, -0.1%;
  • North America: 1.4 million, +2.2%;
  • Domestic freight: 1.7 million, +4.5%;
  • International freight: 3.4 million, +8.3%.

ACI: "Traffic growth is clearly on the rise. Emerging markets are buoyant, and we also now see that mature markets are returning to real growth compared to the pre-crisis levels. Although all markets are not progressing at the same rate, the global imperative is clear: airports must prepare to handle twice as many passengers in just 20 years. For capital-intensive infrastructure development, 20 years is a short time-frame to plan, finance and build new facilities to accommodate growth. Airports are taking action to maximise efficient use of current facilities, working closely with our airline and air navigation service partners to implement new technologies and agreed standards that streamline passenger and cargo handling processes as well as enhance airside operations. That will not be sufficient to absorb twice as many arriving and departing passengers." Angela Gittens, Director. Source: ACI World, 02-Feb-2011.