LCC market to offset drop
Airport International Group (AIG) releases Queen Alia International Airport’s (QAIA) traffic statistics from the beginning of the year up till end of June.
Registering sustained growth, year-to-date (YTD) cargo traffic figures showed a significant 8.3 per cent increase to reach 48,973 tons as opposed to 2014. Compared to the same period last year,YTD passenger traffic (PAX) declined by 9.2 per cent to come in at 3,248,413 PAX, and YTD aircraft movements (ACM) dropped by 6.4 per cent to settle at 33,748 ACM.
"During the past six months, Jordan's aviation industry has been experiencing route cancellations driven by regional circumstances, which in turn has impacted QAIA's passenger and aircraft traffic," comments Kjeld Binger, CEO, AIG.
Throughout June 2015, QAIA handled 8,874 tons of cargo as opposed to 7,860 tons during the same month in 2014, which represented a 12.90 per cent rise. QAIA also received 593,006 PAX compared to 687,804 PAX, indicating a 13.8 per cent in comparison to the same period last year, and recorded 6,124 ACM as opposed to 6,573 ACM, which signified a 6.8 per cent year-on-year drop. "Nonetheless, our outlook remains positive for the remainder of 2015, stemming in part from cargo traffic's ongoing increase since the beginning of the year, as well as the recent addition of Ukraine International Airlines and the low-cost carrier, Air Arabia Jordan, to QAIA's airline network,” he further stated.
“Expanding our low-cost carrier market is a positive step, as it will give the tourism sector a much-needed boost and will hopefully help offset the drop in passenger traffic seen at QAIA so far. Furthermore, we are hoping to witness growth during H2 given the upcoming high seasons of Hajj pilgrimage and Eid Al Adha," he added.