ASIA PACIFIC. Airports association ACI Asia-Pacific has released its regional passenger traffic figures for May, indicating a +7.1% increase in total passenger numbers. International traffic grew even more strongly, at +10.2%, while domestic traffic increased by +5.2%.
In the Middle East, traffic growth in May stood at +11.5% – the fifth successive month of double-digit growth – hinting at the region’s continued recovery from last year’s decline amid political instability across North Africa and parts of the Arabian Gulf.
During the first five months of the year total traffic in Asia Pacific and the Middle East grew by +8.4% and +13.2% respectively.
Across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, Beijing Capital International Airport recorded the highest total traffic during May, at over 6.7 million passengers. Tokyo Haneda (5.4 million) was second in the ranking, with Hong Kong, Dubai and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airports completing the top five.
Amid the continuing slump in the freight sector in other regions, Asia Pacific bucked the trend with a modest +1.3% increase in cargo traffic in May. The year-to-date figure remains down however, at -1.5%. In the Middle East freight was up by +2.0% in May and is up by +3.4% in the year to date.
Commenting on the traffic results, ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Director Patti Chau said: “As the engine of global economic growth, the Asia Pacific region has once again achieved significant results in passenger numbers and remained resilient to the worldwide economic uncertainties in terms of cargo traffic.
“This achievement can be attributed to the efforts of airports, airlines and all stakeholders in this region and proves to the world the strong potential of this market.”
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NOTE: ACI 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.
