Johannesburg, Aug 21 - The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has posted better earnings this year with 3.2 billion rand ($408 million) compared to last year's 2.8 billion (about $357 million), despite a global economic crisis, BuaNews reported.

The ACSA said in a statement Thursday that its financial results were solid despite an environment characterised by declining air traffic due to the financial slowdown.

'International traffic, which yielded higher returns, declined by 0.74 percent compared to 2008's 9.9 percent increase,' ACSA said.

For the first time in ACSA'S history, passenger numbers saw an overall reduction of 7.7 percent in 2009, compared to the 10.6 percent increase recorded last year.

Aircraft landings at the airport also decreased by 3.8 percent, despite the 7.