Figures released by the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport  (HIA) show that 5.8 million passengers utilized the airport (arrivals,  departures and transit) in the first nine months of 2023, constituting  increases of 19.4% from 4.8 million passengers in the same period of  2022 and of 55.2% from 3.1 million passengers in the first nine  months of 2021. Also, 776,412 passengers utilized the airport in September 2023, constituting a rise of 20% from 647,527 in September  2022 and a decrease of 15% from 914,262 in August 2023. The number of arriving passengers reached 2.9 million passengers in the first  nine months of 2023, and surged by 21% from 2.36 million passengers in the same period of 2022 and by 93.2% from 1.48 million passengers in the first nine months of 2021.  The number of arriving passengers stood at 341,242 in September,  representing a growth of 22.3% from 278,943 in September 2022 and  a decline of 10% from 379,114 passengers in August 2023. Also, the  number of departing passengers totaled 2.92 million in the first ninemonths of 2023, constituting increases of 18.7% from 2.46 million  passengers in the same period of last year and of 83% from 1.6 million passengers in the first nine months of 2021. Further, the number  of departing passengers reached 434,540 in September, representing an increase of 18.5% from 366,811 in September 2022 and a decrease  of 18.6% from 534,050 departing passengers in August 2023. The rise in the number of airport passengers in the covered period is due  in part to the rolling back of most travel restrictions around the world in light of the receding threat of the coronavirus pandemic, and  the subsequent increase in mobility amid the resumption of normal activity, as well as to the rise in the number of tourist and visitors to  the country.  In parallel, the airport's aircraft activity totaled 45,896 take-offs and landings in the first nine months of 2023, representing an increase  of 16% from 39,588 takeoffs and landings in the same period last year. In comparison, aircraft activity rose by 38% in the first nine  months of 2022 and by 47% in the same period of 2021. In addition, the HIA processed 42,804 metric tons of freight in the first nine  months of 2023 that consisted of 24,255 tons of import freight and 18,549 tons of export freight. Middle East Airlines had 19,196 flightsin the covered period and accounted for 41.8% of the HIA's total aircraft activity. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Byblos Bank, Lebanon This Week, 2 - 7 October 2023