World AirNews June 2018

NEWS
NEWS
THE WORLD’S
BUSIEST
AIRPORT
Passenger Traffic 2016 finaL (annuaL) LasT uPdaTe: 1 January 2018 Passenger Traffic
ToTaL Passengers enPLaned and dePLaned, Passengers in TransiT counTed once
AtlAntA, GeorGiA HArtsfield-JAckson internAtionAl Airport is tHe busiest in tHe world
T
Air cargo volumes at the 20 busiest airports grew by 6,8% in
2017. These airports handled a combined 51-million metric tonnes
HE LATEST 2017 statistics on world airport traffic rankings of cargo. This represents 43% of global air cargo volumes.
released recently by Airports Council International (ACI) Hong Kong (HKG) occupies top spot as the largest air cargo
World show that demand has continued its robust year-onyear
growth across the world's major airports both in terms of 2017. Volumes at HKG grew by 9,4% year-on-year. Shanghai (PVG),
centre handling more than five-million metric tonnes of cargo in
passenger numbers and air cargo.
Chicago (ORD) and Doha (DOH) all experienced double digit growth
of 11,2%, 12,6% and 15% respectively.
Passenger traffic at the world's 20 busiest airports grew by
5,2% in 2017. With almost 1,5-billion passengers passing through
Air cargo experienced a revival across many of the world's
their terminals during the year under review, this group of 20
airports in 2017 and into 2018. Even with the uncertainty
international airports represents 17% of global passenger traffic.
regarding the threat of trade wars and the growth of protectionist
sentiments across the world, business confidence has remained
Based on reports from 1 202 airports worldwide, ACI's
strong through inventory build-ups and increased export orders in
preliminary passenger traffic results for the most-travelled airports
2017.
in 2017 reveal that Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) has secured
A strengthened economy in the United States (US), together with
top spot again. With almost 104-million passengers (international
an increase in global industrial production, and a strong US dollar
and domestic) , the airport is within a two-hour flight of 80% of the
have boosted inbound air cargo markets in recent years. Key air
United States' population.
cargo centres, such as Chicago – O'Hare (ORD), experienced growth
Beijing (PEK) now holds second spot in this category and Dubai of 12.6% for 2017. The airport, which has significantly expanded
(DXB) remained in third position. As a major connection point for its air cargo facilities, is centrally located geographically serving
long-haul international flights, Dubai International Airport is also regional manufacturing within an intermodal transport network.
the world's busiest in terms of international passengers. Total The airport has also benefitted from international trade with China
passenger traffic at DXB grew 5,5% in 2017.
and other Asian countries. ORD's international freight volumes
Delhi (DEL) jumped from 22nd to 16th solidifying its status as one increased by 12,2% in 2017.
of the fastest growing airports in the world for passenger traffic;
Guangzhou, in China, grew by 10,3% making it the second fastest COMMENT
growing airport among the top 20.
"The surge in cargo volumes and passenger numbers across many
World Airnews | June 2018
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of the world's airports is testament to heightened business and
consumer confidence, at least in the short term," said Angela
Gittens, Director General, ACI World. "The world's airports
continue to be a vital link in the economic multiplier effect that
aviation provides and the role it plays as an enabler for global
commerce is growing..
"The universal access to online retail and e-commerce platforms
represents a competitive pressure to the traditional brick and
mortar retail shops in certain markets, but the huge growth in
e-commerce has fuelled the air cargo side of the airport business.
This has resulted in increased global activity, especially in major
markets such as China and the US."
Gittens added: "The spectre of uncertainty regarding trade policy
among major economies comes at a time when global commerce
and our industry has recently thrived.
The trans-Pacific link, for instance, is an important ingredient in
boosting international passenger traffic and international freight
volumes.
"Connecting people, business and places still remains paramount
to the aviation sector despite the recent threats of a step
backwards in market liberalisation in some major economies,"
Gittens concluded.
MONTHLY AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS
In terms of average monthly aircraft movements during 2017,
United States Airports filled six of the top ten spots of world
Rank City (Airport) Passengers 2016 % Change
1 ATLANTA GA, US (ATL) 104,171,935 2.64%
2 BEIJING, CN (PEK) 94,393,454 4.95%
3 DUBAI, AE (DXB) 83,654,250 7.23%
4 LOS ANGELES CA, US (LAX) 80,921,527 7.96%
5 TOKYO, JP (HND) 79,699,762 5.46%
6 CHICAGO IL, US (ORD) 77,960,588 1.31%
7 LONDON, GB (LHR) 75,715,474 0.97%
8 HONG KONG, HK (HKG) 70,305,857 2.96%
9 SHANGHAI, CN (PVG) 66,002,414 9.82%
10 PARIS, FR (CDG) 65,933,145 0.25%
11 DALLAS/FORT WORTH 65,670,697 0.24%
12 AMSTERDAM, NL (AMS) 63,625,534 9.16%
13 FRANKFURT, DE (FRA) 60,786,937 -0.40%
14 ISTANBUL, TR (IST) 60,422,847 -1.51%
15 GUANGZHOU, CN (CAN) 59,732,147 8.21%
16 NEW YORK NY, US (JFK) 59,105,513 3.90%
17 SINGAPORE, SG (SIN) 58,698,000 5.86%
18 DENVER CO, US (DEN) 58,266,515 7.87%
19 JAKARTA, ID (CGK) 58,195,484 7.19%
20 INCHEON, KR (ICN) 57,849,814 17.07%
World Airnews | June 2018
— 25 —
airports. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) regained top spot during the period
under review with a total of 76 726 movements for its monthly
average number of movements, a gain of 1,02%, pushing its
traditional rival, Atlanta (ATL), Georgia, down to 74 720 movements
on average, a loss compared with the previous year of 1,39%.
These were followed by Los Angeles (down 0,81%); Dallas/
Forth Worth (-4,3%) in the US and, internationally by Beijing
(+1,21%); then Denver, US (-0,212%_; Charlotte NC (+3,31%);
Amsterdam, Holland. (+3,39%); Frankfurt, Germany, which had
the highest increase among the top ten of (+4,41%) and Shanghai
with an increase of 42,725 (+3,91%) in average monthly aircraft
movements for the year.
MONTHLY AVERAGE OF PASSENGERS HANDLED
Although Atlanta, Georgia, lost its top spot to Chicago O’Hare
in terms of average monthly aircraft movements (see above) , it
scored hands down in terms of annual passenger movements for
2017 with 104,171-million passengers (an annual gain of 2,64%)
thus regaining its top spot with Chicago O’Hare dropping to sixth
position out of the top 20 in the world.
In this category, Beijing was placed as the second busiest airport
in the world with 94,4-million passengers handled (roughly ten
million behind Atlanta); Dubai was third with 83,65-million; Los
Angeles was fourth with 80,9-million and Tokyo, was fifth with 79
599 762 passengers handled..
In none of the various categories was any African airport
mentioned. Q