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Passenger traffic across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East recorded growth in June at +9.7% and +8.5% respectively.India delivered growth at +14.7%. The upward trend in passenger traffic continued to ease from last year and the domestic sector gained +16.5%. Top volume drivers for the month were Bangalore (BLR) +29%, Delhi (DEL) +10.8% and Hyderabad (HYD) +20.5%.

Passenger traffic growth in China reached +10.4%, sustained by vigorous domestic and international demand. The domestic sector grew by +9.6% during the month, the third highest since January 2018. Out of the top 10 airports in Asia-Pacific that generated the highest domestic passenger volume increase from last year, 6 airports continued to come from China, with the top three being Shenzhen (SZX) +12.5%, Beijing (PEK) +7.1%, and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) +10.3%.

Passenger traffic growth in a number of Asia-Pacific markets benefited from the timing of Ramadan and post- holiday travels. Jakarta (CGK) +22.6% topped the region generating the highest total passenger volume increase in June while Kuala Lumpur (KUL) also grew at +9.7%.

The Middle East recorded strong performance this month growing at +8.5%, the highest since April 2017. The increase was in part attributed to the timing of Ramadan. Dubai (DXB), the largest airport in the region recorded double-digit increase at +11.7%, its highest since July 2016. In addition, Doha (DOH) reported strong growth at +12.6%, benefiting from a lower base last year as the diplomatic crisis in Qatar reached its 12-month mark. Other strong performers were: Kuwait (KWI) +19.2%, Amman (AMM) +17.1% and Beirut (BEY) +16.7%

Throughout the first half of 2018, passenger growth maintained momentum in Asia-Pacific at +8.6%. India continued to deliver strong growth but showed signs of moderation, while airports in China continued to actively pursue international and domestic opportunities. Growth in the Middle East was generally flat at +0.7% as the region responded to changing market challenges and regional tensions.

In terms of air freight, Asia-Pacific gained +2.3% and the Middle East declined by -1.2% in June. The top freight hubs were: Hong Kong (HKG) +1.4%, Shanghai Pudong (PVG) -2.3% and Seoul Incheon (ICN) +1.8%.

Overall air freight growth was solid in the first half of 2018, with Asia-Pacific at +4.4% and the Middle East at +0.2%. Among the top 10 freight airports in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East combined, 5 airports recorded year-to-date growth of +4% or above.