Latest ACI data points to travel slump

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Airport traffic results from Geneva-based Airport Council International (ACI) show global passenger traffic volume unchanged in February compared to February 2000 but with a downward trend in the Asia/Pacific and North America regions. Cargo and aircraft movements were down 3% and 5% respectively, based on reports from 700 airports worldwide. For the first two months of 2001 combined, passenger traffic was up 4%, cargo down 1% and aircraft movements were flat over the same period last year.

In February passenger traffic trends were variable between regions. Passenger volumes rose in the Middle East by 7% over February 2000. Latin America, Caribbean and Europe also showed growth of 3%, and Africa 2%. However these increases were offset by contracting traffic in the Asia/Pacific and North America regions which both experienced a decline of 2%.

Twenty of the top 30 airports saw their traffic fall, and by as much as 10% in the case of Hong Kong and Chicago O'Hare. Notable exceptions were Madrid, Sydney, Frankfurt and Las Vegas airports which posted strong growth.