International Passenger Traffic Posts Solid Gains in 2010

International Passenger Traffic Posts Solid Gains in 2010
By Melody Ng

Global passenger traffic rose by +4.1 percent in December 2010, according to the latest PaxFlash released by Airports Council International (ACI). Global traffic finished at just over +6.2 percent growth for the year, with international traffic at +7.3 percent and domestic at +5.2 percent.

Latin America/Caribbean continues to report mixed results within its overall growth of +9.0 percent. Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador registered double-digit growth, most notably in Brazil where Brasilia (+18 percent), São Paulo (+16.6 percent) and Rio de Janeiro (+15.3 percent) show no signs of a slowdown in steadily growing domestic or international traffic. On the other side of the spectrum, Mexican airports cannot shake off the effects of a faltering economy and security concerns that continue to dampen demand.

The next fastest growing region in December was the Middle East (+8.7 percent), where Dubai (+11.6 percent), Abu Dhabi (+10.9 percent) and Muscat (+18.2 percent) delivered double-digit growth. It was only the second time in 2010 (April and December) that traffic growth remained below the +10 percent mark in all regions.

Africa performed well, reporting growth of +7.3 percent thanks to strong demand to tourism destinations in Egypt, Tanzania and South Africa. Hurghada (Egypt) surged by +23.3 percent, Durban (South Africa) increased by +11.5 percent and Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) by +17.1 percent. Africa’s largest airport, Johannesburg, reported +6.1 percent growth.

December was the weakest month in 2010 for the Asia Pacific region, which reports +6.2 percent growth. Both of the Shanghai airports ended the year strongly with monthly growth of +30.2 percent (Hongqiao) and +18.7 percent (Pudong). Only two airports with double-digit growth were not located in India or China: Colombo increased passenger numbers by +20.2 percent, while Melbourne had +11 percent more passengers.

Traffic contracted at all six Japanese airports participating in the sample as domestic traffic continued its decline. The -12 percent decline in international passengers at Narita is in part a result of the Haneda terminal opening and new international routes there. (Tokyo Haneda has reported its international passenger numbers since the opening of the new terminal, and for this reason Haneda results were removed from the sample to avoid distortion.)

North America benefited from robust domestic demand of +3.6 percent. Austin (+14.2 percent), Houston (Hobby Airport, +10.9 percent), Fort Lauderdale (+10.3 percent) and New York (LaGuardia, +10 percent) top the sample; however, at Chicago Midway (-0.3 percent), Las Vegas (-0.4 percent), Tampa (-2 percent) and Newark (-3.6 percent) domestic traffic was stagnant and international traffic declined.

Frankfurt, Paris and London were among the hardest hit. Frankfurt declined -1.6 percent in total, while shedding -8.3 percent domestically. Paris (Charles de Gaulle) was -2.2 percent down. London Heathrow was most seriously affected with a loss of -9.7 percent overall and a quarter of its domestic traffic.

Other airports in the UK and Ireland also registered double-digit decreases due to winter weather and knock-on effects. The weak economic environment held down the usual surge in holiday travel for Spanish and Greek airports, particularly visible in domestic traffic results. Additionally, air traffic controllers in Spain went on strike causing numerous flight cancellations.

Twelve-month results were positive, with global passenger traffic finishing with a strong +6 percent increase for 2010. As noted, international passenger traffic rose by +7 percent, whereas domestic traffic increased by +5 percent for the year.

ACI Director of Economics Andreas Schimm said: “2010 was a banner year for air traffic generating a much quicker recovery than expected. The +6 percent growth takes the global industry well beyond pre-crisis volumes, but the recovery continues to progress in a two-paced manner between developing and mature markets.