The latest figures released by the Rafic Hariri International Airport (BIA) revealed that the airport traffic posted animproving performance in the first seven months (7M) of 2023 against the same period of the year prior.  In details, total number of passengers increased by 20.7% in 7M 2023 when compared to the same period of  2022, reaching 4,084,378 passengers in the former period. In addition, the number of aircraft increased by 16.6%  year-on-year. In parallel, the total freight handled by the airport decreased marginally by 0.7% year-on-year  during the aforementioned period.The number of incoming passengers increased by 21.0% year-on-year and that of departing passengers by20.3%, to reach 2,135,333 and 1,949,045 respectively in 7M 2023. In parallel, landings and take-offs increased  by 16.6% year-on-year in 7M 2023, with 16,671 planes landing and 16,666 planes taking-off during the period.  Regarding the freight movement within the airport, a total of 18,540 tons were imported and unloaded during 7M 2023, while 14,363 tons were exported and loaded. The first mentioned activity posted an increase of 12.0% while the latter posted a 13.3% decrease on a yearly basis in 7M 2023.  Looking at the performance of the BIA during July 2023, we notice a 12.7% increase in the number of passengers year-on-year to reach 923,399 passengers. Additionally, the number of aircraft increased by 8.2% between July2023 and July 2022. In parallel, total freight handled by BIA decreased by 2.6% year-on-year in July 2023.The number of incoming passengers increased by 9.5% year-on-year and that of departing passengers by16.9%, to reach 503,887 and 419,512 respectively in the seventh month of 2023. In parallel, landings increasedby 8.2% and take-offs by 8.1% year-on-year in the seventh month of 2023, with 3,276 planes landing taking-offduring the month.  Regarding the freight movement within the airport, a total of 3,099 tons were imported and unloaded during  the seventh month of 2023, while 1,782 tons were exported and loaded. The first mentioned activity posted anincrease of 14.5% while the latter posted a 22.6% drop on a yearly basis in the seventh month of 2023.  It is worth mentioning that Lebanon’s summer season for tourism starts in June. This season historically showsan increase in tourism levels for the country.  (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Bank Audi, Lebanon Weekly Monitor, 31 July - 6 August 2023