Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) the operator of Cancun and eight other airports in south-east of Mexico has reported a 24.36% increase in duty free sales and a 35.64% rise in international traffic in the

first quarter of 2007.

The company reported its results as it still awaits the formal tabling of an offer to buy out its majority shareholding by its Chairman, Fernando Chico Pardo.

The airports company said that the 28.24% year-over-year increase in total passenger traffic primarily reflects the sharp drop in passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2006 that resulted from the impact of Hurricane Wilma on Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and Cozumel. It says that the tourism industry in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera has substantially recovered, while Cozumel is still in the process of recovery.

The growth in international passenger traffic resulted from increases of 35.69%, 122.64% and 8.10% at the Cancun, Cozumel and Huatulco airports, respectively. The increase at Cancun and Cozumel airports was largely due to the recovery from Hurricane Wilma, while the increase at Huatulco was the result of the opening of new routes at the airport.

ASUR reported a 22.93% increase in revenues from non-aeronautical services, principally as a result of the 23.31% rise in commercial revenues.

Total retail revenues were up by 35.36%, principally due to the increase in total passenger traffic during the quarter and the following store openings: Cancun Airport Terminal 2: Air Shop Portafolio Gift shop June 2006; Harley Davidson Gift shop April 2006; Pineda Covalin Gift shop (June 2006); Air Shop Convenience store (December 2006). Oaxaca Airport: Go Go Jewelry (May 2006); GEO Real estate (June 2006). Villahermosa Airport: Air Shop Portafolio Gift shop (May 2006); Cenca Convenience store (April 2006). Huatulco Airport: Artesan?as Mexican handcraft (December 2006).