Traffic growth expected in 2012 albeit at a slower rate: ACI World

ACI World reported (12-Jan-2012) the following financial highlights for its member airports in 2010:

• Operating revenue: USD101.8 billion, +7% year-on-year;
  • Middle East: USD4.6 billion;
  • Aeronautical: Accounted for 53.5% of total revenue at USD54.5 billion;
  • Non-aeronautical: Accounted for 46.5% of total revenue;
• Capital expenditure: USD26 billion, a third lower than previous forecast;
• Capital costs: USD32 billion;
• 2011 forecast:
  • Passenger numbers: +4%;
  • Capital expenditure: USD29 billion, +14%. [more - original PR]

ACI World: "Looking to 2012 while there is a lot of uncertainty in financial markets as to whether governments will be able to contain the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, the consumer seems to be rather unfazed. Consumer confidence is resilient and spending is still growing year on year as the current crisis has not been adding to unemployment yet. Therefore, the prognosis is that another year of growth lies ahead of the industry. Growth rates may be smaller, especially in the first half of the year, but overall airports should be in a good spot to grow revenues further. As far as the individual regions are concerned, the significant spreads in growth rates among the regions will homogenize further as economic growth in China and Brazil cools and the continuing political uncertainty in North Africa will continue to limit its growth opportunities. That being said, Asia-Pacific will remain the fastest growing region followed by Latin America, whereas North America and Europe will be rather muted." ACI World statement. Source: ACI World, 12-Jan-2012.