Asia Pacific airlines post +8.3% increase in international traffic in October

ASIA PACIFIC. Asia Pacific airlines carried 26.4 million international passengers in October – a robust +8.3% year-on-year increase.

The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) said global business and consumer confidence levels remained positive, supporting growth in travel demand for the region’s carriers on long haul routes.

Passenger demand for flights between Europe and Asia, as well as within the region, was particularly strong.

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Demand in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) grew by +9.7%, AAPA noted. After accounting for a +8.1% increase in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor climbed 1.1 percentage points higher to 78.0% for the month.

During the first ten months of the year, Asia Pacific airlines carried 262 million international passengers, a +5.7% year-on-year increase.

“The encouraging results mirror the current solid and steady expansion in the global economy,” commented AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman. “Airlines have responded by strengthening their networks, offering additional frequencies and adding new destinations.

“The overall demand outlook remains positive, although Asian airlines are operating in highly competitive markets and face rising cost pressures, with average jet fuel prices up +24% to US$64 per barrel for the first ten months of the year. Nevertheless, Asian airlines remain focused on implementing further improvements in operational efficiency and other cost-saving measures, whilst identifying new opportunities for revenue generation.”

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