Enduring Growth of 4.7% in Passenger Traffic for the Month of May
Montréal, 8 July 2013 – The month of May was a banner month for the world’s top airports. Of the top twenty airports ranked by passenger traffic, only two airports experienced year over year declines in passenger numbers. Overall passenger traffic increased by +4.7% in May across the globe. Airports also reported a significant increase of +6.9% in international passenger traffic whereas domestic passenger traffic increased by +2.8% as compared to May 2012. International traffic remains buoyant in the Middle East particularly at key hubs around the region. For instance, Dubai (DXB) and Istanbul (IST) continue along their relentless growth path achieving double digit growth over +18% for the month of May. Moving further east, Kuala Lumpur (KUL) achieved remarkable growth of +22.3% in May.
Air freight continues to maintain a sluggish pace with virtually no growth in the volume of traffic worldwide. International freight was flat for the month, while domestic freight traffic decreased by -1.1%. From June 2012 to May 2013, total freight volume increased only slightly by +0.3%. In analysing the world’s top twenty airports with respect to freight traffic, as much as 60% of these airports faced year-over-year declines in air freight traffic. Jakarta (CGK) and Dubai (DXB) are the only hubs among the world’s top airports to experience significant gains of +18.3% and 11.9% respectively.
ACI World’s Economics Director, Rafael Echevarne commented, “International travel is poised for continued growth, as we approach the high season for vacations over the holiday months. All regions recorded robust growth rates in international passenger traffic. Although Europe’s domestic market contracted in May, international traffic remains strong with growth close to +7%. Nevertheless, with regards to air freight, emerging markets are faced with weaker demand from North America and Europe. As a result, we are witnessing slowing growth or declines at major air freight exporters across Asia-Pacific. With a strong recovery in the Eurozone doubtful in the short run, the sluggishness in the air freight market will persist.”
| TABLE 1: SUMMARY WORLDWIDE TRAFFIC RESULTS, MAY 2013 (% CHANGE) | |||
| May 2013 Over May 2012 | Year to Date 2013 | 12-Month Rolling Year | |
| PaxFlash | |||
| International Passenger | 6.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 |
| Domestic Passenger | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Total Passenger | 4.7 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| FreightFlash | |||
| International Freight | (0.0) | (0.4) | (0.4) |
| Domestic Freight | (1.1) | 1.2 | 0.7 |
| Total Freight | (0.4) | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Full Press Release with Extra Tables (PDF) | ||
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Notes for editors
1. Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide association of airports, has 580 member airport authorities, which operate over 1,650 airports in 179 countries. ACI’s mission is to promote professional excellence in airport management and operations, and this mandate is carried out through the organization’s multiple training opportunities, as well as the customer service benchmarking programme, a wide range of conferences, industry statistical products and best practice publications.
2. PaxFlash and FreightFlash statistics are based on a significant sample of airports that provide regular monthly reports to ACI. They represent approximately 60% of total passenger traffic and 70% of total freight traffic worldwide. Commentary, tables and charts are based on preliminary data submitted by participating airports and are therefore subject to change.
3. Regional results and trend graphics are provided in the ACI PaxFlash and FreightFlash PDF.
4. Media Contacts
| Cheryl Marcell Director, Communications and Events ACI World Telephone: +1 514 373 1224 Email: cmarcell@aci.aero |
James Roach Manager, Communications ACI World Telephone: +1 514 373 1226 Email: jroach@aci.aero |