ACI World has reported that it sees 'positive signs of stabilisation' in global passenger traffic, according to its latest ACI 'PaxFlash' report covering the month of July. ACI World Director General Angela Gittens says that

while overall traffic is still lower than 2008, the gap is narrowing significantly in both domestic and international.

She said: ‘This is a scenario where we can draw optimism from a negative. Although overall traffic is still lower than 2008, the gap is narrowing significantly. Total traffic worldwide was down by 1.2% in July, but reflects a rising growth trend when compared to declines of 5% in June and 8% in May. It may still be too soon to assume the worst is over, but results in a few key markets are most encouraging.?

Three regions – Asia Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean and Middle East – recorded overall growth in July, a first for this year. Also, for the first time this year, domestic traffic worldwide for July grew by 0.9%, driven by 'excellent results' in the Asia Pacific region (+10.1%) and Latin America & Caribbean (+ 9.5 %).

ACI adds that while total international traffic remained depressed (-3.4 %) compared to July 2008, this is a marked improvement over the 7% decline recorded in the June 2009 vs. June 2008 comparison. The Middle East and Africa regions both report positive international growth (respectively 11.6% and 0.7% increases).

In a statement today, ACI said: ‘The ACI 'FreightFlash' report similarly reflects this rising traffic trend. Although results are still below 2008 figures, the steep downward spiral of the first quarters has ceased.

‘Worldwide global freight traffic was down by 8.7% in July 2009 over July 2008, but is a notable improvement compared to the year to date results for January-July (-17.2 %) or for the past 12 months (-14.7%).

‘For international freight, the Middle East region saw positive growth at a 3.5% increase. For domestic traffic, only Asia Pacific reported strong results (+12.1%), due in large part due to activity at Chinese airports. North America?s results were down by 3.5%, yet equally an improvement over previous months. European and Latin American freight results remain more seriously depressed.’