Middle East passenger traffic up 16.7 per cent in November

30 December 2010

Global airlines to record a profit of $9.1bn in 2011, says Iata

Middle East carriers recorded a 16.7 per cent increase in passenger traffic in November compared to the same month the previous year.

However, it was a month-on-month decline when compared to the 18 per cent growth in passenger traffic in October (MEED 25:10:10).

In global terms, passenger traffic rose 8.2 per cent in November, while freight volumes increase 5.4 per cent.

“Growth is slowing towards normal historic levels in the 5-6 per cent range. We see a strong end to 2010 that boosted the year’s profit forecast to $15.1bn,” says Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive of Montreal-based International Air Transport Association (Iata).

“Slowing traffic growth is in line with our projections for a reduced profit of $9.1bn in 2011.”

European carriers recorded a 7.3 per cent growth in November passenger traffic. However, the impact of the severe weather and snow experienced in Europe will be reflected in December passenger traffic.

Carriers in North America saw a growth of 9.5 per cent, while airlines in the Asia-Pacific region recorded an increase of 5.8 per cent in November. Latin American carriers saw a growth rate of virtually zero for November, the most dramatic decline seen last month, which is due mainly to the bankruptcy of Mexicana Airlines.

Carriers in Africa were the only ones to experience an increase in growth rates, where passenger traffic rose 16.4 per cent in November.

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