Worldwide passenger traffic rose by 7.6 percent in March 2010, as compared to March 2009, and increased by 6.1 percent for the first quarter. Continued strong freight traffic resurgence was reported for March, with a 25.6 percent rise in total freight compared to March 2009, boosted by international freight which shot upward by 32.4 percent and domestic by 14.6 percent, in stark contrast to the poor results in the first quarter of 2009. (See summary results in Table 1 below.)
Commenting on the results, Director General Angela Gittens says, “Steady improvement of this magnitude tells us that world markets continue to rebound and airport infrastructure serves as a lifeline for that recovery. The 12-month rolling results present an equally encouraging sign, registering positively across the boards for the first time in two years.
“However, we must remember that traffic volumes in the first quarter 2010 are still below pre-crisis levels. Compared to first quarter 2008, the global passenger numbers are still down by 3 percent. Compared to first quarter 2007, numbers are up by a mere 1.5 percent. Global numbers also hide major differences among the regions. The two largest markets, Europe and North America, remain significantly behind volumes reached in 2007 particularly in the US domestic and the intra-European markets.
“Although the growth trend is confirmed, we must not drop our guard. Sudden changes in our business environment due to external causes – whether health, economic factors, or natural disasters – can quickly overturn a situation. The abrupt traffic stoppage in April due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland will put a significant dent in April figures, represents a setback in the catch-up process particularly in Europe.
“Freight figures in March have completed a remarkable first quarter and represent a stark, yet not surprising contrast to the first quarter 2009. As inventories are being replenished and global demand for goods is picking up, international freight in particular seems on track to full recovery.”
Passenger Data Analysis
Double digit growth in international traffic is a clear indicator of recovery. In Africa, Egyptian airports Cairo (+19%), Hurghada (+34%) and Sharm-el-Sheikh (+29%) top international growth, followed closely by other North African airports: Casablanca (+18.5%), Marrakech (+11%), Tunis (+9%), Algiers (+9%). In South Africa, Johannesburg (+ 8.5%) had excellent international results. Robust domestic traffic growth was also seen in Cairo (+21%), Johannesburg (+7.5%), Durban (+13%) and Cape Town (+11.4%).
The majority of airports in the Asia Pacific region reported double digit growth in both international and domestic traffic. Exceptionally large increases in total passengers were reported by Shanghai Pudong (+30%), Incheon (+22%) and Taipei (+21%). International growth was strongest in Jakarta (+33.5%), Kuala Lumpur (+26%), Beijing (+25%), Singapore (+19.5%), Bangkok (+13%), Manila (+12%), and Tokyo Narita (+11%). Traffic also rose markedly in key domestic hubs: Shanghai (+29), Delhi (+20%), Mumbai (+19%), Guangzhou (+16%), Jakarta (+13.6%), Beijing (+13%) and Sydney (+10%).
The European airports reporting declines were in the UK as well as in Dublin (-11.6%), Nice (-3%) and Tenerife (-1.1%). The only UK airports in the sample reporting growth were London Gatwick (+3%) and Heathrow (+0.4%). Moscow airports Domodedovo (+37%), Vnukovo (+35%) and Sheremetyevo (+32.4%) as well as Antalya in Turkey (+43%) were strongest performers in Europe, with Istanbul (+16.5%), Copenhagen (+17%) and Munich (+11%) also registering double digit growth. Some major hubs saw solid increases as well, including Amsterdam (+8%), Frankfurt (+8%) and Madrid (+6%).
Results from Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region are without data from Brazilian airports, due to technical reporting problems this month. Nor has Santiago de Chile (SCL) reported its traffic. Also, a record result of passenger demand for GOL in Brazil, but also flight cancellations of LAN from SCL due to the earthquake in Chile would have significantly altered domestic and international figures in that region. These factors critically decrease the validity of the LAC sample for the month of March. It is to be noted that the picture in Mexico is still mixed, with Mexico City declining by 7 percent whereas Cancun grew by 1.4 percent and Guadalajara by 10.3 percent. Elsewhere Quito (+9.5%) and Lima (+9.4%) had strong domestic traffic growth. Both airports in Buenos Aires (mainly domestic AEP +37.6% and mainly international EZE +3.6%) round off the positive picture.<
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In the Middle East, strong growth trends continue to characterize the region. Muscat was the fastest growing airport at 39 percent, followed by Tel Aviv (+26%), Dubai (+22%), Beirut (+20%) and Abu Dhabi (+13%).
In North America, the picture is mixed. A few airports saw a good balance of international and domestic traffic growth: Atlanta (+ 7% international, +5% domestic) and Fort Lauderdale (+8.6% international, +7% domestic). Others continue to struggle to recover domestic traffic, but which is offset by international growth: Newark (+2.1%), JFK (0%), Toronto (+4%) and Vancouver (+2.6), or inversely in Boston (+8%) where strong domestic traffic offset a drop in international passengers. New York La Guardia registered the fastest growth (+11.6%), followed closely by Austin (+11%) and Washington DCA (+9.4%).
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Table 1: Summary Worldwide Traffic Results, MARCH 2010
(% change)
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MAR 2010
over MAR 2009
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YTD MAR 2010
Over MAR 2009
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Rolling 12 months,
Through MAR 2010
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PaxFlash
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International passenger
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10.1
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8.4
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0.0
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- Corendon -
