ACI: Global passenger traffic growth strong in Mar-2013, Istanbul Ataturk bucks European trend

ACI reported (10-May-2013) the market for international travel remained buoyant in Mar-2013 with the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific all posting double-digit growths in international passenger traffic of 16.4%, 14.1% and 10.9%, respectively. Overall passenger traffic increased 4.6% while domestic traffic showed signs of weakness for some regions. On an aggregate basis, domestic traffic increased by 2.6%. With the ongoing economic slowdown across Europe, domestic passenger traffic saw a decline of 5.9%. However, Turkey's Istanbul Ataturk Airport remained unperturbed by the European economy, as its passenger traffic grew by 23.8%. Global cargo traffic continued to show signs of weakness with an overall decline of 1% in Apr-2013, with every region reporting declines except the Middle East. The top three freight hubs in the world, Hong Kong, Memphis and Shanghai, all experienced declines of 2.2%, 1.4% and 3%, respectively. [more - original PR]

ACI: "With the general downturn in business activity across major economies, the result is a systemic slowdown in the volume of goods shipped by air. Other indicators reinforce this fact such as Markit's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), which measures supplier deliveries, inventory levels and new orders. Results of the index show a decline in the first quarter with respect to the Eurozone. The international passenger, on the other hand, continues to show resilience month after month. In essence, it is the international travel markets, especially in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, that are keeping the aviation sector afloat during these uncertain times," Rafael Echevarne, Economics Director. Source: Company statement, 10-May-2013.