This article from NYTimes.com has been sent to you by psa188@xxxxxxxxx /-------------------- advertisement -----------------------\ Explore more of Starbucks at Starbucks.com. http://www.starbucks.com/default.asp?ci=1015 \----------------------------------------------------------/ Air Travel Seen Picking Up More Fliers August 11, 2003 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 1:57 p.m. ET MONTREAL (AP) -- Global airline passenger traffic will stabilize this year before rebounding 4.4 percent next year and 6.3 percent in 2005, according to the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization. The ICAO cited a gradual restoration of passenger confidence, improved security and its application, an improving global economy and a stable operating environment as the forces behind its forecast. ``Traffic development of both North American and European carriers is stabilizing, with an expected zero growth in 2003 before recovery gets fully under way in 2004 and 2005,'' the organization said. ICAO figures show that the average annual increase in passenger miles performed, or PMP, was 4.7 per cent between 1991 and 2001. Passenger traffic fell 2.9 percent in 2001. A slowing world economy, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the war in Iraq and severe acute respiratory syndrome all contributed to an airline industry free-fall over the past two years, said the organization, which represents some 188 member states. Dozens of operators have been grounded by creditor protection and consolidation during commercial aviation's darkest period. Now, the ICAO predicts brighter skies. Traffic was expected to remain at 1.76 billion PMP for the second year running in 2003 before rising to 1.86 MONTREAL (AP) -- Global airline passenger traffic will stabilize this year before rebounding 4.4 percent next year and 6.3 percent in 2005, according to the Montreal-based International Civil Aviation Organization. The ICAO cited a gradual restoration of passenger confidence, improved security and its application, an improving global economy and a stable operating environment as the forces behind its forecast. ``Traffic development of both North American and European carriers is stabilizing, with an expected zero growth in 2003 before recovery gets fully under way in 2004 and 2005,'' the organization said. ICAO figures show that the average annual increase in passenger miles performed, or PMP, was 4.7 per cent between 1991 and 2001. Passenger traffic fell 2.9 percent in 2001. A slowing world economy, the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the war in Iraq and severe acute respiratory syndrome all contributed to an airline industry free-fall over the past two years, said the organization, which represents some 188 member states. Dozens of operators have been grounded by creditor protection and consolidation during commercial aviation's darkest period. Now, the ICAO predicts brighter skies. Traffic was expected to remain at 1.76 billion PMP for the second year running in 2003 before rising to 1.86 billion PMP next year and 1.98 billion PMP in 2005. ^------ On the Net: www.icao.int http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Airline-Traffic.html?ex=1061632115&ei=1&en=28136ba1f4f049f2 --------------------------------- Get Home Delivery of The New York Times Newspaper. Imagine reading The New York Times any time & anywhere you like! Leisurely catch up on events & expand your horizons. Enjoy now for 50% off Home Delivery! Click here: http://www.nytimes.com/ads/nytcirc/index.html HOW TO ADVERTISE --------------------------------- For information on advertising in e-mail newsletters or other creative advertising opportunities with The New York Times on the Web, please contact onlinesales@xxxxxxxxxxx or visit our online media kit at http://www.nytimes.com/adinfo For general information about NYTimes.com, write to help@xxxxxxxxxxxx Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company