The preliminary results for 2007 traffic, based on the regular monthly reports of total traffic from over 870 airports and international reporting from over 580 airports were released by the Airports Council International. Due to the very large participation, these preliminary results give an excellent indication of traffic development for the year.

SUMMARY: PRELIMINARY (ESTIMATED) RESULTS 2007

Total Passengers: 4.5 billion, +6.4%Total International Passengers: 1.8 billion, +8.2%Total Aircraft Movements: 68.6 million, +2.4%

Thanks to robust demand on international routes worldwide, total global traffic saw a 6.4 percent increase in overall 2007 passenger numbers. With the exception of Latin America, international traffic outstripped domestic in every region and airports report an 8.2 percent increase in international passenger numbers.
 
Strongest increases were noted in the Middle East (+17.6% int’l / 16.5% total) and Africa (+14.6% int’l / +13.7% total) followed by Europe (+8.2% int’l / +7.3% total) and Asia-Pacific (7.9% int’l / +7.7% total). North-American international traffic showed a +4.8 increase contrasting with a +3.3% growth in total passengers (international and domestic).
 
Director General Robert J Aaronson comments, “We see some very good news in these figures.  The remarkable spurt of growth in international passenger and freight traffic made 2007 a banner year for air transport, particularly in thriving new markets in Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Even the mature markets in North America and Europe saw excellent growth in the international sector. Among the countries with the strongest increments were India, China, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Egypt, Spain, Poland and Russia.

“At the same time, the moderate 2.4 percent growth in total aircraft movements relative to the strong increase in passenger numbers indicates that, as an industry, we are successfully pursuing greater system efficiencies and that the airlines are improving load factors.
 
“But there is also cause for caution. With a number of external factors coming into play, 2008 may present a much more sedate picture. Last quarter traffic growth rates were moderate across all regions, with the slowest growth in December, the consequence of diverse factors such as financial market instability, high fuel prices, currency devaluations and air carrier restructuring.
 
“We will be carefully watching the monthly traffic results during the first half of 2008 to see if persistent economic and business trends are developing that could have a lasting impact on demand. In a potentially volatile environment, it is all the more critical for airports, air navigation service suppliers and airlines to work closely together to anticipate real growth needs and plan accordingly for a sustainable future.
 
“With this new 2007 data in hand, key executives from across the industry will meet at ACI’s global industry conference in Shanghai later this month. They will examine the best means to maintain customer service excellence and to develop new revenue streams in our rapidly evolving business environment.”

The tables below provide a summary of 2007 traffic results, worldwide and international, as well as Top 30 airports for passenger traffic and aircraft movements.

WORLDWIDE AIRPORT TRAFFIC REPORT SUMMARY

Preliminary Results 2007

Passengers: total passengers enplaned and deplaned, passengers in transit counted once
Movements: landing or take-off of an aircraft
 
The Airport Traffic Report Summary is a comparison of airports with complete data series for the 12-month period under review.  Number of participating airports by region included in this summary: AFR: 96; ASP: 134; EUR: 304; LAC: 148; MEA: 16; NAM: 179; : TOTAL 877

INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC SUMMARY

Preliminary Results 2007

International (Passengers) traffic (passengers) performed between the designated airport and an airport in another country/territory.

This summary is a comparison of airports with complete data series for the 12-month period under review. Number of participating airports by region included in this summary:
AFR: 73  ASP: 87  EUR: 249  LAC: 94  MEA: 16  NAM: 68   TOTAL: 587

WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS – Preliminary Ranking

TOTAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC 2007

WORLD’S BUSIEST AIRPORTS – Preliminary Ranking

AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS 2007