MONTERREY, Mexico, Dec. 7, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V., known as OMA (Nasdaq:OMAB) (BMV:OMA), reports that terminal passenger traffic at its 13 airports decreased 10.9% in November 2009, as compared to November 2008. Domestic traffic decreased 11.3%, and international traffic decreased 8.5%.
Of total traffic, 97.1% was commercial aviation, and 2.9% was general aviation.
Total Passengers*
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Jan-Nov Jan-Nov
Nov-08 Nov-09 Change% 2008 2009 Change%
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Domestic 877,847 778,561 (11.3) 10,851,281 8,922,940 (17.8)
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International 158,820 145,273 (8.5) 2,144,128 1,636,061 (23.7)
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OMA Total 1,036,667 923,834 (10.9) 12,995,409 10,559,001 (18.7)
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* Terminal passengers: includes passengers on the three types of
aviation (commercial, charter, and general aviation), and excludes
passengers in transit.
Domestic traffic grew at the Culiacan, Mazatlan, and Durango airports by 14.4%, 11.0%, and 5.1%, respectively. In the case of Culiacan, the performance of VivaAerobus and Interjet were noteworthy. Volaris and Grupo Mexicana drove growth in Mazatlan, and general aviation was the driver in Durango. These factors were offset by the suspension of Aviacsa (suspended since July 6, 2009) and the reduction in traffic on Interjet and Magnicharter. The Monterrey, Acapulco, Ciudad Juarez, and Tampico airports had the largest traffic reductions.
International traffic recorded growth at the Zihuatanejo, Zacatecas and Durango airports, principally. WestJet in Zihuatanejo, Volaris in Zacatecas, and Aeromexico Connect in Durango were the airlines that most contributed to growth. The opening of the Zacatecas-Los Angeles route by Volaris on November 24 was noteworthy. The Monterrey, Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Tampico airports had the largest traffic reductions. The first three were principally affected by the suspension of Aviacsa and the reduction in passengers carried by Grupo Aeromexico and Grupo Mexicana. The Tampico airport was affected by the departure of American Eagle.
For the first time in 2009, the total number of flight operations (takeoffs and landings) in the month increased as compared to the prior year period, rising 0.8%.
The complete traffic report is available at http://ir.oma.aero.
This press release may contain forward-looking information and statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "target," or similar expressions. While OMA's management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the control of OMA, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our most recent annual report filed on Form 20-F under the caption "Risk Factors." OMA undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
About OMA
Grupo Aeroportuario del Centro Norte, S.A.B. de C.V., known as OMA, operates 13 international airports in nine states of central and northern Mexico. OMA's airports serve Monterrey, Mexico's third largest metropolitan area, the tourist destinations of Acapulco, Mazatlan, and Zihuatanejo, and nine other regional centers and border cities. OMA employs over 950 persons in order to offer passengers and clients, airport and commercial services in facilities that comply with all applicable international safety, security standards, and ISO 9001:2000. OMA's strategic shareholder members are ICA, Mexico's largest engineering, procurement, and construction company, and Aeroports de Paris Management, subsidiary of Aeroports de Paris, the second largest European airports operator. OMA is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (OMA) and on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (OMAB). Please visit our website, www.oma.aero