Strong economic growth in India stimulated domestic travel, resulting in top airports all posting strong increase: Delhi (DEL) +22.9%, Mumbai (BOM) +10.5%, Bangalore (BLR) +21.1%, Chennai (MAA) +11.9% and Hyderabad (HYD) +17.5%. In Singapore (SIN), fueled by robust growth in passenger traffic from Thailand, China and Malaysia, the airport recorded a gain of +9.9% and appeared to have regained confidence after a period of relatively slow growth since 2014.
HONG KONG – Passengers traveling through the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern airports in March 2016 grew by +6.7% and +10.4% respectively. For the first quarter, Asia-Pacific passenger traffic grew by +9.7% and the Middle East +10.2%. (Note: Cumulated Q1 2016 traffic growth was positively affected by the leap year, an extra day in February 2016).
According to ACI Asia – Pacific, overall for both regions, passenger traffic growth continued to be robust for the quarter. Strong economic growth in India stimulated domestic travel, resulting in top airports all posting strong increase: Delhi (DEL) +22.9%, Mumbai (BOM) +10.5%, Bangalore (BLR) +21.1%, Chennai (MAA) +11.9% and Hyderabad (HYD) +17.5%. In Singapore (SIN), fueled by robust growth in passenger traffic from Thailand, China and Malaysia, the airport recorded a gain of +9.9% and appeared to have regained confidence after a period of relatively slow growth since 2014. Elsewhere in the region, a number of airports also generated substantial gain for the quarter: Pusan (PUS) +26%, Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) +23.1%, Kaohsiung (KHH) +21% and Doha (DOH) +20.4%.
The results for the quarter are mixed in both regions. In the Asia-Pacific, growth was negatively impacted by the disruptions of US west coast sea ports that caused distortionary boost to air freight volumes in February 2015. Resulting in many Asia-Pacific freight hub suffering a decline from last year: Hong Kong (HKG) -3.5%, Incheon (ICN) -4.4%, and Narita (NRT) -10.2%. While some airports delivered significant growth: Delhi (DEL) +15.7%, Manila (MNL) +18.2%.
Growth in the Middle East showed moderation. While Dubai (DXB) grew +3.5%, Dubai World Central (DWC) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) suffered decline of -6.9% and -4.4% respectively. The exception is Doha (DOH) where growth was the highest at +20.3%.
Airports reporting the highest traffic volume in Q1 2016 (with respective growth rate from last year) according to preliminary traffic data
| Top 3 airports by size1 | ||||
| Passenger | Freight | |||
| > 40M | 25M to 40M | 15M to 25M | 5M to 15M | |
| Beijing (PEK) +3.6% | Taipei (TPE) +14.0% | Kansai (KIX) +15.7% | Phuket (HKT) +18.7% | Hong Kong (HKG) -3.5% |
| Dubai (DXB) +6.8% | Manila (MNL) +11.6% | Abu Dhabi (AUH) +9.5% | Busan (PUS) +26.0% | Shanghai Pudong (PVG) +0.1% |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) +5.4% | Kunming (KMG) +12.3% | Seoul Gimpo (GMP) +4.2% | Osaka Itami (ITM) +2.5% | Dubai (DXB ) +3.5% |
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.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
