Airport News
Passengers at Heathrow Airport
Passenger traffic at Europe’s airports saw a modest rise of 1.8% in 2012, according to ACI Europe.
However, passenger numbers at EU airports remained stagnant, with a 0.2% rise, while non-EU airports posted a strong performance, with an 8.8% increase, led by Turkey, Russia, Georgia, Iceland and Moldova.
Freight traffic at European airports for the full year decreased by 2.8% and the overall figure for movements also decreased by 2.1%.
Olivier Jankovec, director general of ACI Europe, said: “More than ever, Europe is a two-speed aviation market.
“Since 2008, passenger traffic has grown by less than 2.5% at EU airports and by more than 38% at non-EU ones.
“For now, EU airports are stuck in recession for both passenger and freight traffic.
“The Eurozone economies may show signs of stabilising, but the positive contagion referred to by the European Central Bank remains elusive when it comes to air traffic.
“This reflects weak business confidence and record unemployment levels in many countries, but also the woes of several European airlines which are downsizing and cutting capacity.
“While there are a few green shoots with air traffic now picking up in Ireland and Portugal, the outlook for 2013 remains grim for EU airports – and still very dynamic for most other ones.
“Based on the prevailing trading conditions, our best estimate is for nearly flat growth (+0.5%) in passenger traffic at Europe’s airports for the year ahead.”
