Traffic Update 
February 2008

 Detailed Results - 103K

Double digit growth in international passenger and air cargo traffic

Through the first 60 days of 2008 the Houston Airport System (HAS) served an additional 8 million travelers, and experienced double digit growth in both international air cargo and passenger traffic. This according to the latest traffic report released, this week, for the month of February 2008, and in addition to the 52 million passengers served by the airport system last year.

According to this report, international air cargo shipments to and from Houston increased significantly by 15.4 percent, during the month of February 2008, while international passenger traffic grew by a dramatic 11 percent, all in comparison to the same timeframe in 2007. New carriers such as Korean Air Cargo, EVA Air Cargo and Emirates, with their new scheduled services to Asia and the Middle East, were partially responsible for this considerable growth.

Europe and Central and South America combined, were the two international regions with the most considerable growth during this same month. Each registered respective year-over-year increases of 20 percent and 14.3 percent.

Top performing air cargo airlines for the month of February 2008 included Southern Air Inc., with a year-over-year increase of 44.3 percent; Burlington Air Express, with an increase of 40.4 percent; Air France, with an increase of 24 percent; and British Airways, with an increase of 18 percent.

Central and South America combined, and Europe were also the international regions with the most significant increases in passenger traffic. Each registered respective increases of 19 percent and 15.2 percent, in comparison to the same month in 2007. Canada, meanwhile, reported a year-over-year increase of 9 percent.

William P. Hobby Airport also registered a significant increase of 13.2 percent in passenger traffic during the month of February 2008, in comparison to the same timeframe last year. Total passenger traffic for the Houston Airport System increased by 5 percent during the same month.     

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The Houston Airport System served a record 52 million passengers in 2007. It is the 4th-largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th-largest in the world. Bush Intercontinental is the nation's 8th-busiest airport. According to J.D. Powers & Associates, William P. Hobby Airport is first in customer satisfaction among smaller airports in the United States. HAS annually contributes over $24 billion in positive economic impact to the Greater Houston region. For more information watch Houston Airports Today every Saturday at 9:00 am on KTBU Channel 55 or visit www.fly2houston.com