Middle East passenger traffic rises 18 per cent in June

28 July 2010

Airlines in Africa enjoyed big growth in traffic due to the World Cup

Middle East carriers saw an 18 per cent increase in passenger traffic in June when compared to the same time last year.

The growth is attributed to the strong regional economy and the ability to attract long-haul traffic through the hubs in the region.

Airlines in the region recorded a 17.5 per cent growth in traffic in May (MEED 30:6:10).

Globally, airlines enjoyed an 11.9 per cent increase in passenger traffic in June and a 26.5 per cent rise in freight traffic.

Except for Europe, all regions recorded a double-digit growth in passenger traffic last month.

With the affects of the volcanic ash crisis now over, European carriers regained a 7.8 per cent rise in passenger traffic in June when compared to the same time in 2009. The region’s carriers are still lagging behind the rest of the world, the Montreal-based International Air Transport Association reports.

It was airlines in Africa that enjoyed the largest rise in passenger traffic of 21.3 per cent in June down to the large numbers of people that travelled to the continent for the World Cup.

Carriers in Asia-Pacific recorded a 15.5 per cent increase in traffic mainly due to strong economic growth in China and airlines in Latin America saw a 14.7 per cent growth in passenger traffic.

North American carriers saw a growth of 10.8 per cent in June, which was reflected in the strong second quarter financial results posted by the region’s carriers.

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