Asia Pacific passenger traffic up +7.6% in March; slower +2.3% growth in the Middle East

ASIA PACIFIC/ MIDDLE EAST. Passenger traffic at airports in Asia Pacific and the Middle East grew +7.6% and +2.3% respectively year-on-year in March.

For the first quarter of 2017, Asia Pacific passenger traffic grew +8.1%, while in the Middle East the increase was +4.9%, according to Airports Council International Asia-Pacific figures.

The association said passenger traffic growth in the Middle East in March was impacted by the timing of the Easter holiday (it fell in March last year and in April this year). It said slower growth was observed in major transit hubs such as Dubai (+3.8%) and Doha (+5%.) One exception was Muscat, where a fast pace of growth was maintained (+16.7%).

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In India, the pace of increase in domestic passenger traffic continued to moderate, Airports Council International Asia-Pacific said. March was the second consecutive month where overall growth in India was below +20% since June 2016. Despite that, a number of Indian airports managed to generate significant growth in the month, including Goa (+26.4%), Calcutta (+23%), and Hyderabad (+20.8%).

In China, robust domestic passenger travel fuelled growth in many airports in March. Shijiazhuang led the way (+41.2%), followed by Tianjin (+20.1%) and Nanchang (+17%).

Elsewhere in the region, Kuala Lumpur maintained its momentum of recovery from a period of slow growth since 2014 and delivered an increase of +14.6%.

Airports Council International Asia-Pacific commented: “Overall in the first quarter, passenger traffic growth maintained strength. Domestic travel in India showed signs of moderation but overall growth continued to be solid. Airports in China pursued growth in both international and domestic passenger traffic.

“With the Easter holiday falling in April this year, traffic in the Middle East is expected to get a boost going into the second quarter.”

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