Wednesday 13 January

Strong global passenger and freight growth in late 2009

Air Council International’s (ACI) monthly PaxFlash and Freight Flash reports show strong positive growth in both passenger numbers and freight tonnage in November.

Angela Gittens, Director General ACI World, comments, “The steady improvement of traffic at airports indicates that losses for the year may be softer than originally expected.

In the first quarter 2009 airports registered an alarming downward spiral yet since mid-year we have witnessed the return of demand - first for domestic and now for international travel.

For sure, we are comparing November 2009 against November 2008, the month which had the biggest traffic losses in that year.  Nonetheless positive passenger growth in all categories - overall global, international and domestic - indicates that the industry remains on track for a rebound.

November is the first month since March 2008 during which all regions registered positive passenger traffic growth.  As December is expected to show further growth across all regions, the global year-end decline may possibly be less than 3 percent.

ACI World Economics Director Andreas Schimm adds, “The November results provide good reason to be optimistic about 2010. Freight results will continue to perform strongly as the world emerges from recession, and business and consumer confidence rises. 

Editors Comments:  Again more good signs that 2010 is going to see a faster than forecast recovery.  This just needs to be converted into passenger numbers to FNQ, sounds easy doesn't it ?  Let's hope someone at Qantas is reading the same positive articles we are !