ACI July Traffic
02 / 09 / 2008
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 one per cent and domestic dropped 1.4 per cent. For the first seven months of the year the average worldwide stands at 2.3 per cent growth and at five per cent 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 per cent compared to July 2007. International and domestic tonnage also down by 1.5 and 1.7 per cent respectively. The first seven months of 2008 showed total freight rising by 1.5 per cent and international freight up by three per cent, whereas domestic freight dropped by three per cent.