Asur focuses on commercial revenues as traffic growth slows

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Mexican airport operator Asur expects 2004 passenger numbers to grow about 5% and will focus on growing the share of commercial revenues at its airports

Mexican airport operator Asur expects 2004 passenger numbers to grow about 5%, half the rate of 2003, according to Reuters. The company?s nine airports in southeast Mexico handled 12.2m passengers in 2003, up 10.85% on the previous year.

Asur chief financial officer Adolfo Castro said passenger traffic has risen an average of 6.2% per year over the last 13 years and that growth should return to a similar level this year. Last year?s numbers were boosted by the war in Iraq and Sars, he said

Castro said one goal for 2004 would be to increase revenue in its commercial operations, including duty-free stores, foreign exchange kiosks and restaurants. He said that reducing the time it takes travellers to check in would allow them more time to use airport facilities.

Asur commercial sales grew 33% last year to Ps226.2m ($21 million), representing about 15% of total revenue. Castro said Asur wants commercial sales to reach 25% of revenue.