Traffic Update 
March 2008

 Detailed Results - 107K

The month of March added another four million passengers to the volume of travelers served by the Houston Airport System in 2008, bringing the year-to-date passenger traffic total to more than 12 million. International passenger traffic continued on an upward swing with a year-over-year increase of 11.4 percent, during the same month.

Accounting for this considerable growth were new passenger services by Singapore Airlines, Continental Airlines and British Airways. During this month, Singapore Airlines launched service to Moscow and Singapore, while Continental Airlines and British Airways kicked off new flights to Heathrow Airport in London.

William P. Hobby Airport registered a significant year-over-year increase of 8.1 percent through the month of March 2008, in comparison to the same timeframe in 2007.

According to the latest traffic report, released this week by HAS, the international regions with the most significant passenger traffic increases for the month were Central and South America combined, with a year-over-year increase of 21.4 percent; Europe, with a 10 percent increase; Canada, with a 9.4 percent increase, and Mexico, with an increase of 7.5 percent.

Among the top performing cargo airlines for the month were Air France, with a 25 percent year-over-year increase; and Burlington Air Express with a 17 percent increase.

Total air cargo shipments during the month of March 2008 registered significant growth with regions like Canada, Central and South America combined, and Europe registering respective increases of 30.1 percent, 13 percent and 8.1 percent, all in comparison to the same timeframe in 2007. Year-to-date international air cargo shipments have increased by 7 percent through 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