ACI Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific pax up 7%, Middle East pax up 9% in Mar-2013

ACI Asia Pacific reported (12-Apr-2013) passenger traffic in the Asia Pacific region continued its modest upward trend in Feb-2013 with a 6.7% year-on-year increase for Asia Pacific airports and a 9.3% increase for Middle East airports. The growth is attributable to the Chinese New Year falling in February in 2013. In the first two months of the year, Asia Pacific airports reported a 4.3% increase and Middle East airports reported a 11.2% increase. The top five airports in terms of passenger traffic were Beijing, Dubai, Tokyo Haneda, Hong Kong and Bangkok airports. On the contrary, air cargo traffic, due to the same Chinese New Year effect, recorded a decline of 11.8% at Asia Pacific airports while Middle Eastern airports remained unaffected and recorded a 9.0% growth. The top five airports in terms of cargo volume were Hong Kong, Shanghai Pudong, Dubai, Seoul Incheon and Tokyo Narita. [more - original PR]