Worldwide Airport Traffic Sluggish in July

Total global passenger traffic growth remained flat in July 2008 compared to 2007. Even the normally more buoyant international traffic grew by only a modest 1 percent and domestic dropped 1.4 percent. For the first seven months of the year the average worldwide stands at 2.3 percent growth and at 5 percent for international traffic.

The results also reflect a second consecutive month of domestic traffic contraction. Affected by flat European international traffic and a decline in the Asia Pacific region (Japan, Korea and China), overall results were below average for the season. Airports cite high energy prices, inflationary tendencies, declining stock markets and slowing economies around the world as causes.

In the US, domestic traffic has been affected by route and frequency cuts with direct impact for almost every major airport. In Europe, domestic traffic continues its decline due to lower demand and alternative transport modes.

World freight traffic remained sluggish, with total freight handled worldwide in July 2008 down by 1.5 percent compared to July 2007. International and domestic tonnage also down by 1.5 and 1.7 percent respectively. The first seven months of 2008 showed total freight rising by 1.5 percent and international freight up by 3 percent, whereas domestic freight dropped by 3 percent.