São Paulo – The Middle East and Africa led in the expansion of passenger movement on international flights in June. The movement grew 13% in both regions when compared to the same period last year, according to figures disclosed today (31) by the Airports Council International (ACI), an organisation that brings together airport management companies in the whole world.
In second place comes Latin America and the Caribbean, with growth of 7% in June, then comes North America, with 5.4%. According to the ACI, the most prominent hubs were Egypt, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Lebanon.
Europe posted growth of 2.4% in movement and the Asia-Pacific region remained stable. The number of passengers on international flights grew 3.2% worldwide in June, when compared to the same month in 2007.
In the area of domestic routes, the total increase was just 1% worldwide in June, and there was a reduction of the movement in Europe and Africa. In general, adding up local and international flights, the number of passengers grew 2% in the month.
According to ACI, the global result for June is "modest", and there has been reduction in the rhythm of growth. The factors for this reduction, according to the institution, are high fuel prices, turbulence in the share market, inflation and uncertainty regarding the future of the global economy.
Half
In the accumulated result for the first half, according to the organisation, there was an increase of 6% in passenger traffic on international flights and 2% on domestic flights.
With regard to cargo transport there was growth of 2% in the first six months of the year and 3% reduction in June, in comparison with the same month in 2007. The performance of the airfreight, according to the ACI, was affected by the price of fuels, and aviation is losing to other means of transport, like highway and railway transport, in domestic shipments.
*Translated by Mark Ament
