Prolonged crisis facing European airports, ACI urges government action

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Airports Council International (ACI) today announced statistics showing that European airports continue to be severely impacted by the events of 11 September. A continuing depression in passenger numbers among a representative sample of 33 ACI Europe airports heightens the grave situation facing the airport industry. The 35 European airports across the board showed a year-in-year decrease in passenger traffic of almost -1.1% in September 2001, reaching -11.2% in November and -10.2% in December.

Director general ACI Europe Philippe Hamon, commented: "Our industry is in severe difficulty. European airports are not only struggling to cope with significant reductions in passenger numbers, but are also faced with the huge costs associated with additional security investments and massively inflated insurance premiums. European Transport Ministers, must urgently address their responsibility both to safeguard the viability of European airports and to finance the security of air travellers."  

The worst traffic loss occurred in airports handling between 1m and 2m passengers monthly, where traffic decreased by -13.4% in December 2001, compared to a year ago. Smaller airports too were greatly impacted. For example Bologna airport reported a decrease of 27.1% in November 2001. Airports serving the transatlantic market are among the worst effected. For example, in October 2001 passenger numbers at London Heathrow fell by -20.1% and by -15.1%. at Paris Charles de Gaulle.

ACI said this worrying situation is made worse by the substantial expenditure required for additional security measures currently being introduced. This important issue demands a uniform pan-European approach. ACI Europe also urged national governments to start developing aid packages for airports.

This burden has been recognised in the US, where last November, President Bush signed into law the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, authorising a $1.5bn aviation security package to fund airports.