2015 Growth Rate - Passenger Statistics.
Some interesting traffic forecasts included in Charlie Cornish's speech during the Great Manchester Business Conference at Lancashire County Cricket Club. 'The Business Desk' reports Mr Cornish stating that MAN "will next year handle about 22.5 million passengers." I take this to mean the financial year 2014/15 running to April 5th, which would seem about right.
He also predicts that MAN will handle an additional one million passengers over the next 12 months. This would represent an annual growth rate of approximately 4.55%. Of course, a forecast of this nature is not intended to be taken quite so literally, but it can be deduced that MAG is anticipating quite muted growth for the year ahead. Again, given the relative stagnation of Ryanair expansion at MAN this year - a very significant factor affecting growth going forward - and a number of withdrawals by other carriers, the cautious forecast appears warranted.
MAN has some decent new services this year including some high-profile names. But if the net growth contributed by the airport's 'bread and butter' based carriers is sluggish then the final numbers will be as well.
Meanwhile, let's hope that the gradual clearing of the confucian confusion surrounding Hainan Airlines does leave MAN with something further to celebrate this week. Fingers crossed.