1. Global passenger traffic rises 7.7% in October
Freight growth slowing, but still 9.6%
Geneva, 6 December 2010 – Passenger demand grew markedly in October 2010, with
ACI member airports reporting a solid 7.7 percent increase, as compared to October
2009. International passenger traffic grew by a robust 9.9 percent while domestic traffic
rose by 6.1 percent. For the first ten months of 2010, world passenger traffic increased
by 6.4 percent, with international traffic growing by 7.6 percent and domestic traffic rising
by 5.4 percent, as compared to the same period in 2009.
The international freight traffic growth trend continues, but at a weaker pace in October
2010. Total freight handled worldwide in October 2010 grew by 9.6 percent compared to
October 2009 with international freight rising by 12 percent and domestic freight by 3.9
percent. The first ten months of 2010 showed total freight growing by 19.5 percent with
international freight increasing by 25.1 percent and domestic freight rising by 9.3 percent.
ACI World Economics Director Andreas Schimm comments, “Passenger growth is very
robust and will most likely hold above 6 percent at year end which is excellent news after
a 2 percent drop in 2009. Looking at regional results what is striking is that growth
curves are converging. Growth in North America and Europe is accelerating whereas it
has been slowing down in Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Latin America-Caribbean
regions.
“This narrowing of the significant spreads seen over the past 12 months is particularly
visible in international traffic results. This month we see a mere 4 percentage points
between North America (8.7) and Asia Pacific (12.5) and this performance contributes to
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2. a continuation of the strong double digit international growth we have seen throughout
the year.”
Growth remains weak or negative in some key markets such as Japan, UK and Mexico
as well as at some US airports, but they are out-performing the previous lows. Russia,
South Korea, Argentina and Brazil spearhead October results, while Shanghai continues
to outperform other Chinese airports driven by the World Expo. A number of Spanish
airports have also reported very solid double-digit growth defying the flat national
economy.
For freight traffic, Schimm notes that the nearly 10 percent increase remains a positive
sign. “October was the first month in 2010 allowing a comparison of worldwide traffic
growth to a growth period in 2009. Double-digit growth rates are not sustainable over the
long run, of course, but it seems that growth can continue in a range between 5 and 10
percent in the foreseeable future. As with passenger traffic, a narrowing spread of
growth figures indicates consolidation on a healthy level and underpins a positive
outlook for the world economy for the next 6 months.”
The two largest international air freight markets Asia Pacific and Europe saw solid
increases of 12.4 and 15.8 percent respectively for October 2010 over 2009, and for the
10 month year-to-date period an increase of 27.5 and 23 percent respectively. Only the
Latin America – Caribbean region recorded a decline in October (-1.06%).
Schimm concludes, “It seems the industry is moving into the post-recovery phase with
less peak growth but a broader base of growing markets underpinned by stronger
demand across all regions particularly in international traffic which bodes well for the rest
of the year and supports a positive outlook for 2011.”
REGIONAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC HIGHLIGHTS
Africa: Strong passenger growth was reported in popular tourist destinations, with
international traffic up by 10.7 percent. Positive results include Cairo (8.8%),
Casablanca (12%), Hurghada (13%), Johannesburg (7.6%), Saint Denis (14.9%), Sharm
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3. El Sheikh (15.1%) and Tunis (15.5%). Good results were registered at several smaller
airports across the region including Abidjan (6.8%), Antananarivo (18.5%), Dar Es
Salaam (7.5%) and Luxor (10.6%).
Asia Pacific: Across the region, international traffic grew by 12.5 percent and domestic
by 8.6 percent, leading all regions in both categories. Global traffic leaders were
Incheon (26.3%) and Shanghai (28.9%), followed by strong results in other key
destinations including Hong Kong (11.9%), Manila (17.1%), Singapore (7.9%), Taipei
(14%). Kuala Lumpur’s international traffic grew by 17.2 percent, whereas domestic
dropped by 1.8 percent; Jakarta rose by 9.7%. Japanese airport traffic growth lagged
behind the regional boom, with Narita showing a modest 1.8% increase and Haneda
reporting a 1.9% decline. Indian airports Hyderabad (13.8%) and Madras (14.7 %) led
results, followed by New Delhi (7.4%) and Mumbai (4.3%).
Europe: With a regional increase in international traffic of 9 percent as well as almost 6
percent increase in domestic travel, most of the largest hubs saw solid growth –
Amsterdam (8.2%), Frankfurt (8.5%), London Heathrow (7.2%), Madrid (5.4%), Paris
(3.8%), Munich (9.1%), and Rome (11.5%). Double digit growth was reported by several
airports with over 1 million passengers including Antalya (26.6%), Barcelona (18.1%),
Berlin (11.6%), Copenhagen (13.4%), Düsseldorf (11%), Lisbon (11.6%), Milan (11%),
Moscow DME (15.7%), Moscow SVO (31.5%), Stockholm (11.4%) and Vienna (11.4%).
Latin America & Caribbean: Overall results for the region profited from continued
strong growth in international traffic of 11.7 percent. Key airports in the region report
good results: Brasilia (4.8%), Cancun (10.7%), Lima (24.6%), Quito (8.9%), and both of
Sao Paolo’s airports (CGH 3.3% and GRU 16%). Booming domestic traffic (43%) was a
key contributor at Lima. International traffic was the driver at Sao Paulo GRU (19.3 %), in
Cancun (12 %) and in Buenos Aires EZE (6.9%). At Rio de Janeiro, despite strong
international growth (27.8%), a notable drop in domestic traffic gave a negative total
result of -3.3 percent. In Mexico City a 6.5 percent drop in international, despite a 1.5
percent increase in domestic, gave a total negative result of -1.2 percent.
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4. Middle East: Traffic growth in the region is still robust at 9.1 percent for international
traffic, with strong performance at several airports including Abu Dhabi (13.3%), Dubai
(14.8%), Muscat (23.1%), and Tel Aviv (6%). However, Kuwait saw a loss of
international traffic (-4.8%) as did Bahrain (-5.8%).
North America: In the US and Canada, international traffic grew by 8.7 percent and
domestic traffic by 4.4 percent. All the largest airports in the sample (over 3 million
passengers) report positive traffic growth for October: Atlanta (3.8%), Chicago ORD
(5.6%), Dallas/Fort Worth (4.2%), Houston (3.5%), Las Vegas (2%), Los Angeles (4.8%),
New York JFK (5.6%), and San Francisco (7.4%), which boosts results for the year to
date averages as well. Excellent results were reported by Boston (11%), Detroit (10.6%),
Fort Lauderdale (10.7%) and Minneapolis (10%), Salt Lake City (8.7%) and Toronto
(8.2%). Small declines were reported by Cleveland, Edmonton, Newark, Oakland, San
Diego, and Winnipeg.
TABLE 1: Summary worldwide traffic results, October 2010 (% change)
Oct 2010 YTD Jan- Oct Rolling 12 months
over Oct 2009 2010 to Oct 2010
PaxFlash
International passenger 9.9 7.6 7.1
Domestic passenger 6.1 5.4 5.5
Total passenger 7.7 6.4 6.2
FreightFlash
International freight 12.0 25.1 24.4
Domestic freight 3.9 9.3 9.7
Total freight 9.6 19.5 19.0
Notes for editors
1. ACI, the only worldwide association of airports, is a non-profit organisation whose prime
purpose is to represent the interests of airports and to promote professional excellence in airport
management and operations. ACI has 575 members who operate over 1630 airports in 179
countries and territories.
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5. 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 on the following pages.
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6. Table 2: PaxFlash Summary – October 2010
STATS MONTH % YOY YTD OCT 2010 % YOY YE OCT 2010 % YOY
REGIONS
INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS
AFR 5 667 10.7 51 464 10.5 60 783 9.7
ASP 31 668 12.5 303 917 15.3 362 528 14.9
EUR 76 856 9.0 697 013 3.8 804 573 3.4
LAC 5 546 11.7 60 462 13.4 72 238 12.4
MEA 8 176 9.1 80 012 12.0 94 958 12.1
NAM 13 937 8.7 144 530 5.6 170 106 4.6
ACI 141 850 9.9 1 337 398 7.6 1 565 186 7.1
AFR 2 944 6.8 26 115 6.7 31 459 6.1
ASP 49 244 8.6 457 868 11.1 542 524 11.3
EUR 22 170 5.8 204 190 3.5 241 740 3.8
LAC 14 917 6.2 141 550 12.9 169 330 13.3
MEA
NAM 72 788 4.4 697 737 1.1 828 508 1.0
ACI 162 329 6.1 1 529 740 5.4 1 816 236 5.5
TOTAL PASSENGERS
AFR 8 710 9.5 78 412 9.1 93 218 8.3
ASP 82 378 9.7 775 572 12.7 921 569 12.6
EUR 99 320 8.3 904 313 3.7 1 049 982 3.5
LAC 21 113 7.7 208 246 12.8 249 108 12.8
MEA 8 593 9.7 83 826 12.2 99 480 12.0
NAM 86 801 5.0 843 249 1.8 999 791 1.6
ACI 306 916 7.7 2 893 618 6.4 3 413 147 6.2
DEFINITIONS:
International (000s). Traffic (passengers) performed between the designated airport and an airport in another
country/territory.
Domestic(000s). Traffic (passengers) performed between two airports located in the same
Country/territory.
Total (000s). International + domestic passengers + direct transfer passengers counted once (when
breakdown is available).
Total ≠ international + domestic
YOY Year over year same month comparison
YTD Year to date, starting January 2009, compared to same period previous year
YE Year end, based on rolling 12 month period, compared to same prior 12 month period
AFR – Africa, ASP – Asia Pacific (including India), EUR – Europe, LAC – Latin America and
Caribbean, MEA – Middle East, NAM – North America
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7. Passenger Traffic Charts –
Month by month traffic comparison with results from same month of previous year
World passenger trends
12
International Domestic Total
10
8
6
4
% CHG
2
0
-2
-4
-6
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
Total Passenger
Regional Trends
30
AFR ASP EUR LAC MEA NAM
25
20
15
10
% CHG
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
7

8. International Passenger
Regional Trends
40
AFR ASP EUR LAC MEA NAM
30
20
% CHG
10
0
-10
-20
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
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9. Table 3: Freight Flash Summary – October 2010
STATS YTD OCT YE OCT
MONTH % YOY % YOY % YOY
REGIONS 2010 2010
INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT
AFR 44.2 11.2 405.4 16.9 484.0 13.4
ASP 1 629.4 12.4 15 187.6 27.5 18 155.6 27.7
EUR 1 132.6 15.8 10 044.0 23.0 12 038.4 21.2
LAC 154.8 (2.2) 1 527.7 23.6 1 848.4 22.6
MEA 315.6 4.2 3 042.8 17.0 3 653.1 17.6
NAM 605.9 12.5 5 693.9 28.5 6 756.0 26.6
ACI 3 882.4 12.0 35 901.3 25.1 42 935.5 24.4
DOMESTIC FREIGHT
AFR 3.1 (4.0) 30.6 13.6 37.3 14.0
ASP 567.6 6.1 5 339.8 11.4 6 457.6 13.4
EUR 45.0 3.9 390.3 4.4 471.9 3.6
LAC 75.1 (0.4) 665.2 2.7 812.0 1.4
MEA
NAM 1 138.9 3.1 10 633.0 8.9 12 811.8 8.7
ACI 1 829.6 3.9 17 058.9 9.3 20 590.7 9.7
TOTAL FREIGHT
AFR 47.9 10.0 442.3 16.7 528.7 13.4
ASP 2 197.1 10.7 20 527.4 22.9 24 613.2 23.6
EUR 1 384.5 16.2 12 314.5 21.9 14 744.4 20.0
LAC 229.9 (1.6) 2 193.1 16.4 2 660.7 15.3
MEA 315.7 4.2 3 043.9 17.0 3 654.4 17.6
NAM 1 795.1 6.2 16 823.8 14.9 20 157.4 14.1
ACI 5 970.1 9.6 55 345.0 19.5 66 358.8 19.0
Data in 000s metric tonnes
DEFINITIONS:
International. Traffic (loaded+unloaded freight) performed between the designated airport and an airport in
another country/territory.
Domestic. Traffic (loaded+unloaded freight) performed between two airports located in the same
Country/territory.
Total. International + domestic freight (when breakdown is available).
Total ≠ international + domestic
Numbers may not foot due to rounding. *ANC data not included in summary.
YOY Year over year same month comparison
YTD Year to date, starting January 2009, compared to same period previous year
YE Year end, based on rolling 12 month period, compared to same prior 12 month period
AFR – Africa, ASP – Asia Pacific (including India), EUR – Europe, LAC – Latin America and
Caribbean, MEA – Middle East, NAM – North America
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10. Freight Traffic Charts
Month by month traffic comparison with results from same month of previous year
World freight trends
50
45 International Domestic Total
40
35
30
% CHG
25
20
15
10
5
0
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
Total Freight
Regional Trends
60
AFR ASP EUR LAC MEA NAM
50
40
30
% CHG
20
10
0
-10
-20
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
10

11. International Freight
Regional Trends
60
AFR ASP EUR LAC MEA NAM
50
40
30
% CHG
20
10
0
-10
-20
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT
2009 2010
- ENDS –
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