WORLD NEWS ROUNDUP.

This article focuses on the fact that the world airline passenger traffic is expected to rebound this year with 6.2 percent growth, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization. Throughout the 2004-2006 forecast period, Middle East airlines are to experience above-average traffic growth, while airline traffic in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa is expected to remain stable, but with growth below the world average. Airline leaders at an FAA safety conference near Washington last week say safety continues to be a top priority, but one executive notes that plans for new equipment are being examined more closely in an era of tight finances and greater spending on security.