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Preliminary traffic figures for the month of November released today by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed growth in both international passenger numbers and air cargo traffic.
The region's carriers registered a 6.7% increase in international passenger numbers to a combined total of 18.2 million in November, with continued regional economic confidence supporting both business and leisure travel demand. Measured in revenue passenger kilometres, international passenger demand grew by 5.1%, whilst available seat capacity expanded by 5.6%, resulting in a 0.4 percentage point fall in the average international passenger load factor to 76.3% for the month.
For Asia Pacific airlines, international air cargo demand in freight tonne kilometre (FTK) terms registered a solid 5.4% increase compared to the same month last year, following a pickup in global demand for Asian exports. However, the average international freight load factor continued to edge downwards, registering a 0.5 percentage point fall to 67.2% in November, after a 6.1% expansion in offered freight capacity.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General said, "Over the past eleven months, Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 200 million international passengers, 6.0% more than in the same period last year, maintaining the pattern of steady growth seen over the past five years. Conversely, air cargo demand has remained relatively weak, with volumes 0.7% lower compared to the same period last year, but has picked up in recent months in line with steadily improving global economic conditions. Looking ahead, Asian carriers remain positive about prospects for further growth in demand for air travel in the coming year, and ongoing stabilisation of air cargo demand, supported by the gradual improvement in global business and consumer sentiment."
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