November 2018: Passengers up 3.8% in Asia-Pacific and 2.7% in Middle East

Passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East recorded growth in November at +3.8% and +2.7% respectively.
 
Despite a slowdown in the overall pace of growth in Asia-Pacific, India continued to lead with approximately +8.0% growth in total passenger traffic compared with last year, while also demonstrating signs of moderation in both the international and domestic sectors. Delhi (DEL), the largest airport in the nation reported only marginal growth of +1% during the month, likely impacted by a temporary runway maintenance closure that reduced operations. The three airports with the most total passenger volume increase were: Bangalore (BLR) +23.8%, Ahmedabad (AMD) +21.8% and Hyderabad (HYD) +11.1%.
 
In China, the general pace of growth continued to slow and total passenger traffic growth from last year was approximately +3.6%. Most major airports only reported single-digit growth this month. The top three airports with the most passenger volume increase were: Chengdu (CTU) +5.6%, Xi’an (XIY) +5.9% and Guangzhou (CAN) +3.2%.
 
Elsewhere in Asia-Pacific, Seoul Incheon (ICN) generated the highest passenger traffic increase at +7.3%. The growth was partly driven by the sizeable increase in international visitors.
 
In the Middle East, mixed results were observed. Bahrain (BAH) reported the highest growth in the region with +15.3% increase in total passenger traffic, followed by Amman (AMM) +11.5% and Muscat (MCT) +11.3%. Dubai (DXB), the largest hub in the Middle East, posted a negative growth rate of -0.8%
 
In terms of air freight, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East experienced decline of -2.1% and -0.7% respectively amid a weakened global economy and reduction in manufacturing activities. Among the major cargo hubs, Doha (DOH) +5.6% had the highest increase in volume, followed by Guangzhou (CAN) +5.0% and Manila (MNL) +11.0%.
 
TABLE 1:  Preliminary year-on-year traffic growth rates for Airports reporting highest traffic volume in the respective size category in Nov 2018

 
 
About Airports Council International Asia-Pacific
 
ACI Asia-Pacific, one of the five regions of the Airports Council International (ACI), is based in Hong Kong and represents 110 members operating 589 airports in 49 countries/ territories in Asia-Pacific and the Middle-East.
 
As the only global trade association of the world’s airports, ACI represents airports’ interests with governments and international organizations, develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports, and provides information and training opportunities to raise standards around the world. In 2017, In 2017, ACI Asia-Pacific airports have handled 3.4 billion passengers and 56.3 million tonnes of cargo.
 
For further information, please contact:
 
Vivian Fung
Senior Manager, External Affairs
ACI Asia-Pacific
 
Tel:                  (852) 2989 8006
Email:             vivian@aci-asiapac.aero
Website:         www.aci-asiapac.aero