...Airports Stable, Slow Growth: Traffic performance had a sluggish start in the early months of the year due to severe weather. Weak first-quarter GDP also contributed to slow traffic activity. Still, Fitch Ratings expects traffic to strengthen through the remainder of the year with international traffic leading the way. Carrier capacity rationalization seems to have reversed as the median increase in available seat miles for the five leading U.S. carriers was 2.5% through June. Port Stability Persists: Fitch expects flat to modest improvements in port throughput and revenue stability. Macroeconomic trends continue to affect trade, though overall performance remains mixed, with East Coast ports registering comparatively robust growth. Fitch continues to monitor labor actions at U.S. ports as disruptions could result in slowing or uncertain operations or cause a shift in volumes to non-U.S. ports. Fitch is also cognizant of productivity factors such as terminal automation, shifts towards larger...
