ASIA PACIFIC. International passengers carried by Asia Pacific airlines saw moderate growth in May 2019, according to preliminary traffic figures released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
A total of 30.4 million international passengers was carried by the region’s airlines during the month according to the trade organisation, a 4.4% increase measured against the same month last year.
Demand in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) grew by 4.5% year-on-year, surpassing the 3.6% increase in available seat capacity. This resulted in a 0.7 percentage points increase in the average international passenger load factor to reach 78.5% for the month.
AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said: “Sustained expansion in major global and regional economies supported further growth in passenger markets.”
The AAPA observed that overall, during the first five months of the year, Asian airlines carried an aggregate total of 155 million international passengers, 4.8% more than the same period last year.
Looking forward, Herdman predicted that the growth in travel markets will remain positive, but noted that operating conditions have become increasingly challenging for the region’s carriers. He added: “Airlines are grappling with the effects of weaker air cargo demand, volatile oil prices and renewed downward pressure on passenger yields.
“Nevertheless, the region’s airlines remain focused on improving operational productivity to deliver value added services to customers.”