Global passenger air traffic up in November

The number of people jumping on planes to head to overseas destinations for package holidays and other types of excursions continues to increase, new figures indicate.

Global passenger traffic went up by seven per cent in November 2009, according to data from airport participants in the ACI PaxFlash and FreightFlash monthly traffic reporting exercise.

While total passenger traffic increased by 6.9 per cent compared to November 2009, international traffic went up by 8.1 per cent as domestic figures surged by six per cent.

Russia, India, Egypt, Brazil, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates are credited with contributing the most significantly to a global 6.5 per cent increase in passengers worldwide, stated the report.

Commenting on the data, director general Angela Gittens said: "Europe appears to be on track to becoming the largest traffic region in 2010 for the first time ever, moving ahead of the North America market."

However, the harsh wintry conditions, which resulted in massive delays and the closure of some airports during Christmas, could hamper December traffic results.