Latest ACI traffic results still negative

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The tragic events of September 11 and the uncertain economic situation continue to take their toll on airports worldwide, Airports Council International (ACI) said today. November 2001 traffic results from over 700 airports show passenger traffic were down 14% and aircraft movements down 9% compared with November 2000. This trend is almost the same as the 14% drop in September. From January to November 2001, passenger traffic figures were down 2%.

November 2001 results show passenger traffic contracting in all regions. Double-digit declines were registered in North America (-18%), Africa (-17%) and Europe (-12%). Smaller falls were also registered in the Middle East (-8%), Asia/Pacific (-7%) and Latin America/Caribbean (-5%). Beijing and Tokyo Haneda were the only major airports to see their traffic increase, while more than two thirds of world's largest airports registered double-digit declines.

Preliminary traffic data for December 2001 and January 2002 show signs of gradual recovery, particularly in Latin America, Asia/Pacific and the Middle East. However, said ACI, no rapid return to normal levels of traffic should be expected anytime soon.