Chinese airlines see passenger traffic climb
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Chinese airlines’ passenger numbers rose 14% in the first four months of 2009, while cargo traffic declined, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said yesterday.
Reported by Bloomberg, the CAAC’s Deputy Administrator, Yang Guoqing, told a conference in Beijing that Chinese carriers flew a total of 71.4 million passengers in the period. Cargo volume fell 11% to 1.22 million tons.
“There are signs that the declining trend in air traffic may have seen a bottom in February,” Yang was quoted saying. Although he added that international business and leisure air travel is still being hindered by the global financial crisis, and may be further hit by concerns over the spread of swine flu.
Chinese carriers have flown less freight this year as US and European consumers cut spending on Asian-made goods amid the recession. Passenger numbers have risen as government economic stimulus measures help spur demand.
April’s passenger numbers rose 13% from last year while cargo fell 3.7%, Yang added.
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