Passenger growth slows in Aug-2011. Freight downturn a cause for concern: ACI

The world's airports reported slower passenger traffic growth in Aug-2011 and an air freight performance that "does not paint a particularly rosy picture", airports body Airports Council International (ACI World) said. After comments last month that it was cautiously optimistic about the remainder of 2011, the organisation's new Economics Director Rafael Echevarne this month cautioned that "the dramatic deceleration in the evolution of freight traffic over the year puts into question whether we will end the year in positive territory", citing eroding business confidence amid an uncertain economic climate.

Despite the short-term jitters, the long-term growth outlook is positive, particularly in emerging markets such as Asia.