India passenger traffic increasing during past three years, freight witnesses negative growth

India's Minister of State for Civil Aviation Shri G.M. Siddeshwara stated (21-Jul-2014) air traffic in terms of aircraft movement and passenger traffic has increased during the last three years. However, in the same period freight witnessed negative growth. The total aircraft movements and passengers have registered a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.3% and 5.6% respectively, whereas freight has declined by 1% during FY2010-11 to FY2013-14. In the current financial year, aircraft movements, passengers and freight traffic has increased by 5%, 5% and 9.9% respectively over traffic handled during 2013-14. Airports Authority of India (AAI) has estimated that traffic at all Indian airports, taken together in terms of aircraft movements, passenger and freight, are expected to grow at the rate of 4.2%, 5.3% and 5% respectively for the next five years. [more - original PR]