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Asia Pacific Airlines continued to ride a wave of robust growth in June, with both passenger and cargo sectors delivering strong performances. According to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), the region’s carriers handled around 29 million international passengers in June, marking a 21.0% year-on-year increase.
The region exhibited sustained strength in international passenger numbers, with airlines carrying 28.9 million international passengers. This positive trend was further emphasized by a 23.8% year-on-year growth in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK), indicating increased passenger travel distances.
Even though the available seat capacity surged by 24.0%, the passenger load factor experienced a marginal decline of 0.2 percentage points to 82.2%. This sustained growth trajectory has solidified the industry’s recovery from the pandemic.
Cargo Market Continues Upward Trajectory
The air cargo sector mirrored the passenger market’s positive performance, with international air cargo demand surging by 16.4% year-on-year. The consistent rise in e-commerce activity and ongoing disruptions to maritime shipping continued to fuel demand for air freight services.
Consequently, the average international freight load factor climbed by 2.0 percentage points to 62.8%, indicating improved cargo utilization.
Outlook Remains Positive
The region’s positive momentum has positioned it for further growth in the coming months. The carriers have successfully navigated challenges and demonstrated resilience, leading to a strong recovery from the pandemic.
However, the industry must remain vigilant as geopolitical tensions and rising operational costs could impact future performance.
Additionally, Asia Pacific Airlines carried 173 million international passengers during the first half of the year, representing a 40% increase compared to last year. This highlights the industry’s overall strength and recovery.
AAPA Director General’s Response
Commenting on the results, Mr. Subhas Menon, AAPA Director General, said, “Asian airlines are seeing robust traffic growth, in tandem with expansion in global economic activity and improvements to connectivity within the region and globally. In summary, during the first half of the year, the region’s airlines carried a combined total of 173 million international passengers, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year.”
“International air cargo demand grew by 16% during the same period, as a pick-up in export activity, coupled with disruptions to maritime shipping, drove an increase in air freight volumes carried across major trade lanes.”
Mr. Menon said, “International air passenger and cargo markets are poised for further growth in the latter half of the year, driven by sustained positive momentum in the global economy, despite some uncertainties in the geopolitical landscape. Increased services to new and existing destinations will further boost travel demand, with traffic volumes expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the region’s carriers remain focused on safe and sustainable operations, whilst maintaining cost efficiency.
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