[July 11, 2018 – Hong Kong] Passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific airports recorded growth at +9.9% in April 2018 while a reduction of -2.4% was observed in the Middle East.

India led the Asia-Pacific region delivering growth at 20.4%, sustained by robust domestic demand. The domestic sector reported growth exceeding 20% for the third consecutive month, at +23.8% in April. Top volume drivers for the month were: Delhi (DEL) +16.8%, Bangalore (BLR) +46.1% and Mumbai (BOM) +12.8%. (Note: the significant growth in Bangalore (BLR) was a result of reduced operations during partial runway closure in 2017).

In China, both the domestic and international sectors delivered double-digit growth for the month, resulting in an overall gain of +11.8%, the country’s highest overall growth to-date in 2018. Top volume drivers for the month included: Beijing (PEK) +18%, Shanghai Pudong (PVG) +11.6%, and Guangzhou (CAN) +9.9%. (Note: the significant growth at PEK was a result of reduced operations in 2017 during closure of the main runway in 2017).

Japan grew +7% for the month, the highest to-date in 2018 possibly benefiting from holiday travels around the cherry blossom and Easter season. Current month’s growth was primarily driven by volume increase at Tokyo Haneda (HND) +6.1%, the second busiest airport in the Asia-Pacific in terms of passenger traffic; followed by Osaka Kansai (KIX) +12.7% and Tokyo Narita (NRT) +5.3%.

In the Middle East, passenger volume recorded an overall decline this month as traffic softened at the larger hubs. Traffic at Dubai (DXB) -0.1% was virtually flat compared to last year. The diplomatic crisis in Qatar continued to negatively impact Doha (DOH) at -18.2%. On the other hand, strong growth continued to be observed at Kuwait (KWI) +19.3% and Muscat (MCT) +9.7%.

After a slow month in March 2018, air freight growth recovered in April 2018, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East grew at +4.2% and +2.6% respectively. Hong Kong continued to be the top freight hub delivering volume growth at +5% followed by Shanghai Pudong (PVG) +2.8% and Seoul Incheon (ICN) +0.1%.

TABLE 1:  Preliminary year-on-year traffic growth rates for Airports reporting highest traffic volume in the respective size category in April 2018 ¹

Note :

1. ACI preliminary passenger and freight statistics are based on a significant sample of airports that provide regular monthly reports to ACI. They represent approximately 60% of total passenger traffic and 70% of total freight traffic worldwide. Commentary, tables and charts are based on preliminary data submitted by participating airports and are therefore subject to change.

2. Size categories refer to the annual passenger traffic (in the last 12 months)

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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 106 members operating 605 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 2016, ACI Asia-Pacific airports have handled 3.1 billion passengers and 52.2 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